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'i^t  0  r>/  /**-  #■**  *  •  *  efffws 


^/-  to 


MEMOIRS 


*1 


OF 


Late  of  Lincoln,  Loudoun  County,  Va. 


A  Minister  in  the  Religious  Society  of  Friends, 


(WRITTEN  BY  HIMSELF.) 


AT  CHAPEL  HILL     ^"ULiNA 


'  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth ; 
Yea,  saith  the  spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do 
follow  them." — Rev.  14:  13. 


*io#ir#. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
FRIENDS'  BOOK  ASSOCIAT 
1 88l. 


%!. 


CHApeS 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1881,  by 
CORNELIA  JANNEY, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


PRE  FACE. 

The  memoir  of  my  dear  father  was  begun,  as  he  tells  us,  with 
the  view  of  leaving  it  as  a  legacy  to  his  children,  but  in  his  latter 
years,  he  was  willing  that  the  experience  of  his  long  and  eventful 
life,  should  be  used  in  any  way  to  promote  the  "Cause  of  Truth." 

A  few  judicious  friends  have  carefully  read  the  manuscript  left 

by  him,  and  they  encourage  me  in  the   belief  that  the   instructive 

matter  it   contains   is   worthy  of  publication,   and   will   be   valued, 

especially  by  those  who  knew  and  loved  him. 

C.J. 

Lincoln,  Loudoun  Co.,  Va.,  jd  Mo.  1st,  188 J- 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 

Birth  and  parentage — Some  account  of  his  ancestors — Death  of  his 
mother — Early  religious  impressions — Reading  the  Scriptures — Re- 
moval to  Fairfax — Goes  into  his  uncle's  counting-house  in  Alexan- 
dria— Self-improvement — Reflections  upon  the  Classics.        Page  I. 


CHAPTER   II. 

Edward  Stabler  and  Dr.  Dick — Teaches  in  a  Presbyterian  Sabbath- 
school — Establishes  with  others  a  First-day  school  for  colored  peo- 
ple— Religious  exercises.     1820.  Page  9. 


CHAPTER    III. 

Attends  a  Methodist  class-meeting  with  William  Lamphier — Reflec- 
tions thereon — Receives  a  prize  for  his  poem  "  The  Country  School- 
House". — Correspondence  with  George  P.  Morris — Becomes  a  con- 
tributor to  the  New  York  Mirror — Religious  controversy  in  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends — A  sermon  by  Margaret  Judge — Death  of  Rachel 
Ellicott — Poem  on  Affliction.     1824-25.  Page  13. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

Co-partnership  with  Dr.  Bond — Marriage— Bridal  tour — Poem  upon 
Lake  George — Labors  for  the  Colored  people — Formation  of  a 
Benevolent  Society— Joins  a  Colonization  Society — Petition  to  Con- 
gress for  the  Abolition  of  Slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia- 
Illness  and  visit  to  the  Red  Sulphur  Springs — Poem.     1825  to  1829. 

Page  25. 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    V. 

Again  visits  Red  Sulphur  Springs — His  health  much  improved — Re- 
moval to  Occoquan — Visit  from  Daniel  Quinby — He  accompanies 
him  as  far  as  Richmond  and  Petersburg — Death  of  a  little  daughter 
— Publishes  a  letter  on  Christian  doctrine — His  first  appearance  in 
the  ministry — Reflections  upon  the  ministry — Indulged  meeting 
granted  at  Occoquan — Writes  "  Conversations  on  Religious  Sub- 
jects"— Joins  George  Truman  in  a  religious  visit  to  the  meetings  of 
Fairfax  Quarter — Goes  as  companion  for  George  Truman  to  visit  the 
families  of  Friends  of  Baltimore — Visits  Dunning's  Creek  with  a 
Yearly  Meeting  committee — Attends  New  York  Yearly  Meeting. 
i829-'35.  Page  37. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

Publishes  a  volume  of  Poems — Business  at  Occoquan  proves  un- 
successful— Removes  to  Loudoun  Co.,  Va.,  where  he  opens  a 
Boarding  School.     1839.  Page  49. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

He  travels  in  some  of  the  counties  of  Virginia,  on  a  religious  visit — 
Death  of  his  father.     1841-42.  Page  52. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Visits  some  meetings  within  the  limits  of  Indiana  Yearly  meeting — 
Endeavors  to  heal  dissensions  there — Writes  an  Epistle  to  Friends 
in  the  State  of  Ohio.     1844.  Page  58. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

He  writes  a  series  of  articles  upon  Slavery — Letters  to  George  Truman 
and  Issac  T.  Hopper — Letter  to  his  uncle,  Phineas  Janney — Attends 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Red  Stone,  in  Pennsylvania— Enters  into 
a  canvass  for  free  schools  in  Virginia — Goes  to  Richmond  as  dele- 
gate to  an  Educational  Convention — Letter  to  a  Slaveholder. 
i844-'46.  Page  86. 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

CHAPTER    X. 

Attends  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting — Answer  to  Wm.  A.  Smith's  Defence 
of  Slavery — The  Grand  Jury  indicts  him  for  it — He  defends  him- 
self and  is  cleared.     1849-50.  Page  96. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

S.  S.  Randall  suggests  his  writing  the  Life  of  Penn — Two  letters 
from  him  on  the  subject — Engaged  in  the  work — Visits  his  friend 
■  S.  S.  Randall,  who  assists  him  in  revisirj  his  book.     i85o-'5l. 

Page  106. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

He  obtains  a  minute  to  attend  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  Genesee 
Yearly  Meetings,  with  some  of  the  meetings  composing  them — Some 
account  of  his  religious  exercises  while  on  this  journey — Proposi- 
tion brought  to  Yearly  Meeting  for  an  equitable  division  of  prop- 
erty held  by  our  branch  of  the  Society — Not  then  carried,  but 
adopted  in  1864 — Hopes  entertained  of  a  more  cordial  feeling  be- 
tween the  two  branches — Accepts  an  invitation  to  visit  Thomas 
Evans  of  Philadelphia,  who  expressed  himself  satisfied  with  the 
Life  of  Penn — At  his  request  adds  some  doctrinal  matter  in  the  next 
edition — Letters  to  Caleb  Carmalt — Letters  to  S.  S.  Randall  and 
Jane  Johnson  on  the  Life  of  Geo.  Fox.     185 1.  Page  Hi. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

Attends  Philadelphia  and  New  York  Yearly  Meetings,  and  some 
Meetings  belonging  to  them — Interviews  with  Richard  Mott  and 
Stephen  Grellet — Letter  to  Dillwyn  Parrish.     1854.  Page  130. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

Receives  a  minute  to  attend  Ohio  and  Indiana  Yearly  Meetings,  and 
to  appoint  and  attend  some  meetings  within  their  limits — Is  taken 
with  a  hemorrhage  from  the  lungs  in  Illinois — Attends  meetings  in 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

much  weakness — Reflections  upon  the  state  of  the  Society  of  Friends 
in  the  West — Salutations  from  London  Yearly  meeting  read  at  the 
Representative  Committee  of  Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting — A  reply 
to  it  by  him  and  some  others — Some  account  of  the  life  and  death  of 
his  son  John.     1857.  Page  153. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

Visit  to  Warrington  and  other  Meetings  belonging  to  that  Quarter- 
Attends  Philadelphia  and  New  York  Yearly  Meetings,  and  some 
Meetings  composing  them — Journey  to  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland. 
1859-60.  Page  172. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

Goes  to  Philadelphia  to  attend  to  the  publication  of  History  of  Friends 
— Civil  war  begins — County  occupied  with  Southern  troops — Battle 
of  Ball's  Bluff — Goes  through  the  lines  to  attend  Baltimore  Yearly 
Meeting— Is  arrested  when  he  returns — -Interview  with  General  Evans 
■ — After  four  days'  detention  is  released — Occupation  of  Waterford 
Meeting  House  by  Southern  troops — Attends  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
Sandy  Spring  and  other  meetings — Tribute  to  Miriam  Gover — Goes 
with  a  committee  to  visit  some  of  the  subordinate  meetings  of  Balti- 
more Yearly  Meeting — Death  of  a  sister — Visit  to  Philadelphia* and 
New  York  Yearly  Meetings — Passage  from  Extracts  of  Baltimore 
Yearly  Meeting — Engaged  in  writing  third  and  fourth  volumes  of 
History  of  Friends.     i86l-'63.  Page  188. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

With  a  committee,  visits  Friends  in  Iowa  who  have  applied  for  the 
privilege  of  holding  a  Quarterly  Meeting.     1864.  Page  209. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

Citizens  of  Loudoun  arrested  by  Union  troops — Goes  to  Washington 
to  procure  their  release — Interview  with  General  Sheridan  and 
other  military  commanders — Part  of  the  prisoners  liberated  on  pa- 


CONTENTS.  IX 

role,  others  kept  as  hostages  for  exchange — Attends  Baltimore 
Yearly  Meeting — Again  lays  before  the  meeting  his  concern  that 
an  equitable  share  of  the  property  shall  be  offered  the  Orthodox 
Friends,  which  was  united  with — An  extract  from  the  minutes  of 
the  meeting — Goes  to  Philadelphia — A  serious  accident  on  the 
train — General  Sheridan's  raid  in  Loudoun — Much  distress  there — 
Help  solicited  from  the  North,  which  is  cheerfully  given — Closing 
of  the  war — Death  of  President  Lincoln.     1864-65.         Page  218. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

With  a  Minute  of  Concurrence,  with  his  brother,  Asa  M.  Janney,  as 
companion,  attends  the  Yearly  Meetings  of  Philadelphia,  New 
York  and  Genesee,  and  some  of  the  Meetings  composing  them. 
1868.  Page  236. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Reflections  upon  his  sixty-ninth  birth-day — Meets  the  Committee  on 
Indian  Concerns,  in  Baltimore — A  proposition  before  them  from 
General  Grant,  that  they  should  take  charge  of  some  of  the  West- 
ern Indians — They  accept  the  charge — Part  of  the  Indian  commit- 
tee wait  on  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  and  Commissioner  of  In- 
dian Affairs — Meets  the  Indian  committee  in  Baltimore,  where  his 
name  is  proposed  for  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs — Accepts  the 
appointment — Makes  preparations  for  a  long  absence  from  home. 
1869.    •  Page  249. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

Arrives  in  Omaha — Names  of  Agents — Meets  with  a  cordial  welcome 
— Holds  a  Public  Meeting — Visits  the  Winnebago  and  Omaha 
Agencies — The  hardships  the  Winnebagoes  had  met  with  from  the 
Government — Writes  a  petition  to  the  Government  for  the  reim- 
bursement of  a  large  sum  of  money — Congress  refunds  it — The  first 
Council — The  allotment  of  land  in  severalty  discussed  and  agreed 
to — Addresses  them  on  Religion  and  Morality — Goes  to  the  Omaha 
Agency,  where  the  same  subjects  are  discussed  in  Council  with  the 
Chiefs.     i869-'7i.  Page  254. 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Some  account  of  the  Pawnee  Tribe — They  are  suspected  of  the  mur- 
der of  a  white  man — The  Superintendent  holds  a  council  with  the 
chiefs  on  the  subject — Four  Indians  are  delivered  up  and  taken  to 
Omaha — Their  trial — After  twenty-two  months'  imprisonment  they 
are  admitted  to  bail — The  chiefs  and  Superintendent  and  Agent 
become  responsible  for  them — Superintendent  visits  some  of  the 
Agencies  with  a  deputation  of  Friends  —  Congress  appropriates 
$30,000  for  Indian  civilization — Letter  to  a  convention  of  Friends 
held  in  Philadelphia  —  Letter  to  Benjamin  Hallowell  —  Letter  to 
Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs.     1870.  Page  264. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

Letter  to  a  Joint  Committee  of  Friends  on  Indian  Affairs — Resigns 
his  position — Letter  from  W.  H.  Macy  relating  to  it — Barclay 
White  is  appointed  as  his  successor — He  is  taken  sick  with  inter- 
mittent fever — Returns  to  his  home  in  Virginia.     1 87 1.     Page  28 1. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

Attends  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting  with  James  M.  Walker  as  companion — 
They  visit  some  meetings  belonging  to  it — Attends  Indiana  Yearly 
Meeting.     1873.  Page  288. 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

1875-80. 

Goes  as  one  of  a  committee  to  attend  the  opening  of  Illinois  Yearly 
Meeting — Fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  marriage — Verses  by  T.  M.  J. 
— Attends  the  Yearly  Meetings  of  Philadelphia  and  New  York — 
Visits  the  Centennial  Exposition — Attends  Warrington  Quarterly 
Meeting  and  the  meetings  composing  it — Death  of  A.  M.  Janney — 
Reflections  upon  his  seventy-seventh  birth-day — Goes  to  Wash- 
ington on  Indian  affairs — Attends  Philadelphia  and  New  York 
Yearly  Meetings — His  closing  record — Attends  Waterford  Quar- 
terly Meeting — Attends  the  opening  of  the  new  meeting-house 
at  Washington — Illness  and  death — Extracts  from  memorial  pre- 
pared by  Friends.     1874-80  Page  298. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 


CHAPTER   I. 

Birth  and  parentage — Some  account  of  his  ancestors — Death  of  his 
mother — Early  religious  impressions — Reading  the  Scriptures — Re- 
moval to  Fairfax — Goes  into  his  uncle's  counting-house  in  Alexan- 
dria— Self-improvement — Reflections  upon  the  Classics. 

1801. 

It  has  often  been  to  my  mind  a  subject  of  serious  con- 
sideration, whether  it  would  not  be  right  to  leave  behind 
me  some  account  of  my  life  and  religious  experience,  for 
the  benefit  of  survivors. 

At  an  early  period  I  kept  a  diary,  in  which  I  wrote  occa- 
sionally, as  a  remembrancer  for  my  own  use,  and  I  have 
some  memorandums  relating  to  several  of  my  journeys  in 
the  gospel  ministry.  But  I  have  been  prevented  from  keep- 
ing a  regular  journal  of  my  life ;  partly  by  the  apprehen- 
sion that  I  could  write  nothing  on  the  subject  worthy  of 
preservation,  and  partly  by  the  pressure  of  other  engage- 
ments. 

It  has,  however,  occurred  to  me,  that  I  have  experienced 
many  preservations  and  deliverances,  for  which  I  am  in- 
debted to  the  unmerited  mercy  of  my  Heavenly  Father, 
and  that  some  account  of  these,  together  with  the  most 
interesting  incidents  of  my  life,  might  be  an  acceptable 
legacy  to  my  children. 


2  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Being  now  in  my  fifty-seventh  year,  I  am  admonished, 
by  the  approach  of  old  age,  that  this  work,  if  ever  done 
rightly,  must  be  commenced  soon,  and  prosecuted  at  such 
intervals  of  leisure  as  »I  may  be  able  to  appropriate  to  this 
purpose. 

I  was  born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  the  nth  of  ist 
month,  1801 ;  being  the  eldest  child  of  Abijah  and  Jane 
Janney,  who  were  members  of  the  religious  Society  of 
Friends,  and  much  esteemed  among  their  neighbors.  They 
were  good  examples  of  integrity,  meekness  and  purity. 

My  paternal  ancestors  for  many  generations  were  Friends, 
and  so  far  as  I  can  learn,  they  were  exemplary  members  of 
the  Society.  The  earliest  among  them  of  whom  we  have 
any  certain  account,  was  Thomas  Janney,  of  Cheshire, 
England.  He  was  convinced  of  the  principles  of  Friends 
about  the  year  1654,  when  the  Society  first  arose  in  that 
country.*  The  next  year  after  his  convincement,  being 
then  in  the  2 2d  year  of  his  age,  he  received  a  gift  in  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  being  faithful  to  the  teachings  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  he  improved  in  his  gift,  and  became  instru- 
mental in  promoting  the  cause  of  truth. 

In  his  native  country  he  suffered  loss  of  goods  and  im- 
prisonment for  his  religious  testimony,  f  In  the  year  1683 
he  came  to  Pennsylvania,  with  his  family,  and  settled  in 
Bucks  county,  which  was  during  the  time  of  William  Penn's 
first  visit  to  America.  He  served  as  a  member  of  the  Gov- 
ernor's Council,  and  is  mentioned  in  the  letters  of  William 
Penn  in  terms  of  regard.  £  He  traveled  extensively  as  a 
minister  of  the  gospel ;  having  visited  Ireland,  and  many 
parts  of  England,  before  his  emigration  to  America;  and 


*  Piety  Promoted  ;  Vol.1.   Philad.    Memorials  of  Friends.    17S7. 
\  Besse's  Sufferings  of  Friend  s;    Vol.  I,  pp.  IOO,  104,  105. 
J  Proud's  History  of  Pennsylvania. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  3 

afterwards  he  several  times  visited  the  Churches  not  only 
in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  also  in  New  England, 
Long  Island,  and  Maryland.  In  1695  he  went,  in  com- 
pany with  Griffith  Owen,  to  visit  his  brethren  in  Eng- 
land, where,  after  about  eighteen  months'  service  in  the 
work  of  the  gospel,  he  was  taken  ill,  and  died  in  the  12th 
month,  1696,  in  Cheshire,  aged  about  63  years,  having 
been  a  minister  about  42  years.  § 

In  a  "  Testimony  concerning  him  from  Friends  of  Falls 
Monthly  Meeting,"  they  say:  "We  loved  and  highly 
esteemed  him  for  his  work's  sake,  being  an  able  minister 
of  the  gospel,  sound  in  doctrine,  endowed  with  wisdom 
and  a  ready  utterance,  and  favored  with  openings  into  the 
mysteries  of  the  things  of  God's  kingdom.  He  was  not 
forward  to  offer  his  gift,  having  a  true  regard  to  the  Giver, 
who  said  formerly,  '  Cast  the  net  on  the  right  side  of  the 
ship;'  therefore  'his  bow  abode  in  strength.'  And  though 
the  Lord  had  furnished  him  with  such  excellent  qualifica- 
tions, he  had  so  learned  self-denial  as  not  to  glory  therein, 
but  was  ready  to  prefer  his  friends  before  himself,  and  give 
them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship ;  being  careful  to  keep 
the  testimony  of  truth  clear  on  all  accounts,  saying,  '  Those 
that  appear  in  public  are  doubly  bound  to  do  so.'  He  was 
of  a  cheerful  and  peaceable  temper,  and  innocent  and  blame- 
less life." 

When  approaching  the  close  of  life,  he  said  :  "  My  care  , 
hath  been  for  my  sons,  that  they  may  be  kept  in  the  fear 
of  God.  I  have  been  a  good  example  to  them  ;  I  have  a 
care  upon  me  that  they  may  be  kept  humble  while  they  are 
young ;  that  they  may  bend  their  necks  under  the  yoke  of 
Christ.     If  I  am  taken  away,  I  am  very  clear  in  my  spirit 

\  Bouden's  Hist,  of  Friends  in  America;   Vol.  II.,  p.  120. 


4  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

I  have  answered  the  requirings  of  God.  I  have  been  faith- 
ful in  my  day,  and  I  have  nothing  that  troubles  my  spirit ; 
my  spirit  is  very  clear.* 

Jacob  Janney  was  the  grandson  of  Thomas  Janney.  He 
came  from  Bucks  county,  Pa.,  to  Loudon  county,  Va., 
about  the  year  1745,  being  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in 
that  neighborhood  where  Goose  Creek  Monthly  Meeting 
was  afterwards  established.  He  was,  I  believe,  an  Elder 
of  the  meeting.  His  wife,  Hannah  Janney,  who  long  sur- 
vived him,  and  attained  to  the  age  of  93  years,  was  an 
Elder,  highly  esteemed,  as  appears  by  a  memorial  from  the 
meeting  to  which  she  belonged.  They  had  a  large  family, 
mostly  sons,  and  one  of  them,  Israel  Janney,  was  my  grand- 
father, whom  I  well  remember  as  a  dignified  and  exemplary 
man  ;  an  Elder  of  the  meeting,  and  much  respected  in  the 
neighborhood.  In  the  education  of  his  large  family  of 
children,  of  whom  seven  sons  and  two  daughters  attained 
to  maturity,  he  was  careful  to  maintain  obedience  by  strict 
discipline,  and  they  nearly  all  became  useful  members  of 
society. 

My  father,  who  was  the  eldest  son,  adopted  a  mode  of 
parental  government  less  rigorous  than  that  of  his  father, 
and  he  was  enabled,  through  the  power  of  love  and  the 
influence  of  a  consistent  example,  to  educate  all  his  chil- 
dren, of  whom  twelve  attained  to  maturity,  in  the  prin- 
ciples and  practice  of  virtue. 

My  mother  was  of  Scottish  descent,  being  the  daughter 
of  John  and  Hannah  McPherson,  who  were  exemplary  and 
consistent  Friends.  At  the  time  of  their  marriage,  they 
were  members  of  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting,  Frederic 
county,  Va. 

itSmith's  Hist,  of  Friends  in  Penna.  Hazard's  Register;  Vol.  I,  p.  213. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  5 

I  have  been  told  by  many  persons  who  knew  her,  that 
my  mother  was  a  very  lovely  woman  ;  but  I  had  not  long 
the  advantage  of  her  tender  care  and  counsel,  for  she  was 
removed  by  death  when  I  was  about  twelve  years  of  age. 
I  well  remember  being  called  from  my  bed  at  night  and 
conducted  into  her  chamber,  to  take  my  last  farewell  and 
to  receive  her  dying  benediction. 

This  brief  sketch  of  my  ancestors  is  intended  as  a  me- 
morial of  their  virtues,  and  an  incentive  to  their  numerous 
descendants  to  pursue  the  same  course  of  obedience  to  the 
divine  law,  by  which  our  happiness  and  usefulness  here 
will  be  promoted,  and  our  eternal  felicity  secured  in  the 
life  to  come.  May  we  ever  remember  that  righteousness 
cannot  be  transmitted  as  an  inheritance;  but  each  suc- 
ceeding generation  must  encounter  the  temptations  and 
trials  incident  to  this  state  of  being;  a  victory  over  sin 
can  only  be  achieved  by  reliance  upon  divine  aid,  and 
obedience  to  the  voice  of  God  in  the  soul.  So  far  from 
deriving  any  real  merit  from  the  virtues  of  our  ancestors, 
we  may,  by  neglecting  to  follow  their  example,  incur  a 
greater  responsibility  and  a  heavier  condemnation.  The 
rebellious  Jews  boasted  that  they  had  Abraham  for  their 
father,  while  they  were  without  the  faith  of  Abraham  and 
destitute  of  his  virtues. 

There  is,  however,  an  advantage  derived  from  preserving 
the  memorials  of  a  virtuous  ancestry,  and  frequently  recur- 
ring to  their  example  as  a  means  of  inciting  us  to  good- 
ness. This  consideration,  I  believe,  frequently  operates 
beneficially  upon  the  youthful  mind.  For  my  own  part, 
I  can  feelingly  adopt  the  language  of  Cowper : — 

"My  boast  is  not  that  I  deduce  my  birth 
From  loins  enthron'd,  and  rulers  of  the  earth; 
But  higher  far  my  proud  pretensions  rise, 
The  Son  of  parents  passed  into  the  skies." 


6  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

I  remember  that  at  a  very  early  age  I  experienced  the 
operation  of  divine  grace  condemning  me  for  evil,  and 
inciting  me  to  goodness.  I  was  sent  to  school  when  quite 
young,  and  soon  learned  to  read,  which  became  a  source 
of  pleasure  and  instruction.  There  were  at  that  time  very 
few  books  in  the  neighborhood.  Those  possessed  by  my 
father  were,  so  far  as  I  can  remember,  all  of  a  useful  char- 
acter. Murray's  Introduction  to  the  English  Reader  was 
read  in  our  school  by  the  younger  class,  to  which  I  be- 
longed, and  I  recollect  that  during  the  reading  of  one  of 
the  pathetic  pieces,  I  burst  into  tears,  and  could  not  pro- 
ceed. In  my  youthful  days  I  took  great  interest  in  read- 
ing the  Bible,  and  so  strong  were  the  impressions  some- 
times made  upon  my  feelings  during  its  perusal,  that  I  can 
remember  now  the  very  spot  where  I  -sat,  engrossed  with 
its  instructive  pages.  When  I  read  the  narratives  of  the 
Evangelists  concerning  the  discourses  and  miracles  of 
Christ,  I  sometimes  thought  if  I  had  only  lived  at  the 
time  when  he  was  personally  on  earth,  how  gladly  would 
I  have  followed  his  footsteps,  in  order  to  receive  the  les- 
sons of  instruction  that  fell  from  his  holy  lips,  to  be- 
hold the  wonderful  works  that  he  did,  and  to  partake  of 
those  spiritual  blessings  that  he  dispensed  to  his  followers. 
But  I  have  since  learned  that  we  of  this  generation  are  as 
highly  favored  as  any  that  have  lived  before  us ;  because, 
like  those  of  former  ages,  we  may  have  access  to  the  Father 
through  the  Son,  by  obedience  to  the  manifestations  of  his 
light  and  grace  in  our  hearts.  We  have  also  the  advantage 
of  perusing  the  Scriptures  of  truth,  and  of  many  excellent 
books  calculated  to  promote  piety  and  virtue ;  and  in  ad- 
dition to  these  high  privileges,  we  live  in  an  age  and  coun- 
try where  we  enjoy  civil  and  religious  liberty.  For  the  last 
of  these  blessings  we  are,  under  Divine  Providence,  greatly 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  7 

indebted  to  our  predecessors  in  the  Religious  Society  of 
Friends,  who  by  their  labors  and  their  sufferings  were  instru- 
mental in  reviving  primitive  Christianity  and  promoting 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

After  the  death  of  my  mother,  my  father,  having  sold  his 
mill  and  farm  in  Loudon,  removed  to  Fairfax  county,  and 
joining  in  partnership  with  two  brothers-in-law,  they  built 
the  mill  called  Triadelphia,  about  four  miles  west  of  Alex- 
andria. 

While  residing  at  my  father's  house,  I  attended  school 
in  Alexandria  for  a  short  time,  and  was  then  placed,  at 
about  fourteen  years"  of  age,  in  the  counting-house  of  my 
uncle  Phineas  Janney,  of  Alexandria,  who  was  a  commis- 
sion merchant  and  an  importer  of  iron.  I  lived  in  his 
family  during  the  remainder  of  my  minority,  and  until  I 
was  married.  To  him  and  his  wife,  Sarah  S.  Janney,  I 
feel  greatly  indebted  for  their  kindness  towards  me,  and 
their  long-continued  attention  to  my  welfarei 

At  the  time  I  entered  the  counting-house,  I  had  made 
but  little  progress  in  my  studies  :  Reading  and  Writing,  the 
rudiments  of  English  Grammar  and  an  imperfect  knowl- 
edge of  Arithmetic  constituted  the  sum  of  my  school  ac- 
quirements; but  I  had  a  great  thirst  for  knowledge,  and 
took  much  pleasure  in  reading. 

The  business  I  had  to  do  occupied  not  more  than  half 
of  my  time,  and  my  uncle  had  no  objection  to  my  reading 
suitable  books  in  the  counting-house  during  leisure 
hours.  I  soon  reviewed  my  Arithmetic,  and  commenced 
Algebra,  and  my  uncle  sent  me  to  a  night  school  to  learn 
the  French  language.  Subsequently  I  went,  as  a  night 
scholar,  to  the  school  of  my  valued  friend  Benjamin  Hal- 
lowell,  to  study  Surveying. 

My  taste  for  mathematical  studies  was  not  sufficient  to 


8  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

induce  me  to  pursue  them  with  ardor,  and  the  time  for 
such  pursuits  being  limited,  I  never  attained  to  much  pro- 
ficiency in  them. 

Natural  Philosophy  and  Chemistry  were  favorite  studies 
with  me,  and  in  order  to  pursue  the  latter  of  these  sciences 
with  success,  I  induced  a  number  of  my  young  friends  to 
join  with  me  in  forming  an  association.  We  purchased 
apparatus,  performed  experiments  and  delivered  lectures, 
which  became  to  us  a  source  of  much  pleasure,  and  pro- 
moted our  progress  in  scientific  knowledge. 

My  strongest  predilection  was  for  literature,  and  I  read 
with  avidity  almost  every  work  that  came  in  my  way,  ex- 
cept those  that  were  considered  pernicious,  and  even  some 
of  this  class  occasionally  shared  my  attention,  notwith- 
standing the  repoofs  of  that  Divine  monitor  which  pleads 
with  us  in  the  secret  of  the  soul,  and  condemns  for  sin. 

In  order  to  promote  my  improvement  in  literary  taste,  I 
joined  a  number  of  young  men  in  forming  a  literary  soci- 
ety, which  met  once  a  month  to  read  and  criticise  original 
essays.  This  society  became  to  me  exceedingly  interest- 
ing ;  it  was  continued  for  several  years,  and  many  of  the 
essays  were  published  in  papers  devoted  to  literature. 

About  this  period  I  felt  a  desire  to  become  disting- 
uished for  learning,  and  indulged  in  aspirations  for 
literary  fame.  In  order  to  assist  me  in  the  attainment 
of  these  ends,  I  commenced  the  study  of  the  Latin  Gram- 
mar. Before  I  had  made  much  progress,  my  mind  was 
brought  under  religious  exercise :  I  wished  to  scrutinize 
the  motives  by  which  I  was  actuated ;  and  finding  them 
not  pure,  nor,  as  I  believed,  consistent  with  the  Divine 
will,  I  renounced  the  study.  Since  that  time  I  have  reflected 
much  upon  the  subject  of  the  ancient  classics,  and  although 
I  have  felt  my  deficiency  in  that  branch  of  learning,  I  can- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  9 

not  say  that  I  have  ever  repented  of  the  decision  then 
made. 

It  is  impossible  to  tell  what  would  have  been  the  result, 
if  I  had  persevered,  and  become  a  classical  scholar ;  but 
in  renouncing  the  study  I  sincerely  believed  I  was  doing 
right ;  and  I  hold  that  Divine  Providence  watches  over 
individuals  as  well  as  over  nations,  and  by  his  secret  guid- 
ance shapes  our  destinies. 

In  looking  back  on  my  past  life,  I  can  see  that  in  many 
cases  disappointments  and  afflictions  that  I  regarded  as 
calamities,  proved  to  be  blessings  in  disguise;  and  many 
instances  that  appeared  to  be  of  little  importance,  led  to 
unexpected  and  beneficial  results. 


CHAPTER   II. 

Edward  Stabler  and  Dr.  Dick — Teaches  in  a  Presbyterian  Sabbath- 
school — Establishes  with  others  a  First-day  school  for  colored  peo- 
ple— Religious  exercises. 

1824. 

About  .the  time  I  was  approaching  manhood,  the 
meeting  of  Friends  in  Alexandria  was  favored  with 
the  religious  services  of  two  ministers  whom  I  highly 
esteemed,  and  from  both  of  whom  I  derived  instruction 
and  consolation.  These  were  Edward  Stabler  and  Dr. 
Elisha  C.  Dick. 

Edward  Stabler  was  the  younger  of  the  two,  but  had 
been  much  longer  in  the  ministry.  He  was  a  remarkable 
example  of  uprightness  and  purity  in  conduct  and  conver- 
sation, and  his  ministry  was  highly  appreciated  by  most 
of  those  who  heard  him.  By  the  members  of  our  meeting 
he  was  much  beloved.    His  mind,  originally  vigorous,  was 


io  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

enlarged  by  knowledge  and  strengthened  by  exercise ;  he 
had  a  remarkable  fluency  of  expression,  and  was  sometimes 
eloquent.  But  it  was  in  familiar  conversation  that  he  most 
excelled;  for  whatever  might  be  the  subject  introduced, 
he  could  discourse  interestingly  upon  it,  and  illustrate  his 
views  from  the  rich  stores  of  his  memory ;  always  endeav- 
oring to  blend  instruction  with  enjoyment,  and  generally 
ending  with  some  important  religious  truth. 

He  was  always  kind  and  attentive  to  me,  and  I  made  it  a 
practice  frequently  to  stop  at  his  apothecary  shop,  in  the 
evening,  on  my  way  home  from  the  counting-house. 

On  these  occasions  he  generally  entertained  me,  and 
others  who  happened  to  be  present,  with  the  rich  flow  of 
his  colloquial  powers,  dwelling  much  upon  the  beauty  of 
holiness  and  the  goodness  of  God.  His  sons  were  among 
my  most  intimate  friends,  and  William,  the  eldest,  after- 
wards became  my  frequent  companion  in  religious  ser- 
vices. 

Dr.  Dick  had  been  a  gay,  fashionable  man,  and  it  was 
not  till  after  he  had  passed  the  meridian  of  life,  that  he 
renounced  the  world  and  joined  in  membership  with 
Friends.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  ability,  eminent 
in  the  medical  profession,  and  possessed  of  much  general 
knowledge. 

As  a  minister  of  the  gospel  he  spoke  forcibly,  but  not 
eloquently ;  his  manner  was  grave  and  dignified,  and  the 
matter  of  his  discourses  was  to  me  very  edifying.  In  con- 
versation he  was  agreeable  and  instructive.  After  he 
retired  from  the  practice  of  medicine,  he  lived  in  the  coun- 
try, not  far  from  my  father's  residence,  and  I  visited  him 
frequently.  Although  he  was  an  aged  man  and  I  very 
young,  he  seemed  pleased  to  have  my  company,  and  I 
enjoyed  very  much  his  instructive  conversation. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  1 1 

About  this  period  of  ray  life,  being  of  an  ardent  and 
active  temperament,  and  desirous  of  doing  some  good,  I 
was  for  some  time  connected  with  a  Presbyterian  Sabbath- 
school,  and  went  on  First-day  mornings,  to  their  meeting- 
house, to  assist  in  teaching  the  poor.  When  the  duties  of 
the  school  were  over  I  generally  left,  in  order  to  attend 
our  own  meeting.  I  do  not  remember  how  long  this  was 
continued,  but  at  length,  becoming  dissatisfied  with  some 
of  the  doctrinal  views  inculcated  in  the  hymns  that  were 
sung  by  the  pupils,  I  withdrew  from  the  school.  Soon 
afterwards,  being  joined  by  a  number  of  young  Friends, 
we  established  a  First-day  school  for  colored  children, 
which  met  in  the  second  story  of  our  meeting-house.  It 
was  attended  by  a  large  number,  and  I  derived  great  satis- 
faction from  our  labors  on  behalf  of  that  much-neglected 
people. 

My  mind  was  deeply  interested  in  the  momentous  con- 
cerns of  religion.  I  read  the  Bible  diligently,  and  sought 
for  Divine  assistance  in  meditation  and  prayer ;  but  unhap- 
pily I  did  not  always  watch  sufficiently  against  temptation, 
and  was  often  brought  under  condemnation  for  sin.  In 
this  condition  I  could  adopt  the  language  of  the  apostle, 
expressive  of  a  state  he  at  one  time  experienced :  "  I  delight 
in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man,  but  I  see  another 
law  in  my  members,  warring  against  the  law  of  my  mind 
and  bringing  me  into  captivity  to  the  law  of  sin  which  is 
in  my  members.  Oh  !  wretched  man  that  I  am  !  who  shall 
deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death?"  This  conflict 
I  had  to  pass  through,  and  it  was  not  until  after  many  years 
of  vicissitude,  sometimes  rejoicing  for  victory  achieved,  at 
others  mourning  for  defeat,  that  I  was  able  to  say,  in  humble 
thankfulness  to  the  Auther  of  all  good,  "The  law  of  the 
spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus  hath  made  me  free  from  the 


1 2  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

law  of  sin  and  death."     From  the  memorandums  made 
during  this  period,  the  following  passages  are  taken : — 

"8th  month,  1824. — About  this  time  my  condemnation 
for  sin  increased  to  such  a  degree,  that  I  was  almost  driven 
to  despair,  and  sometimes  doubted  whether  there  was  any 
hope  of  salvation  left  for  me.  Then,  and  not  till  then, 
did  I  give  up  my  will  unreservedly  to  God,  who,  in  his 
unspeakable  mercy,  granted  me  consolation  and  help. 
From  this  time  I  hope,  through  his  love  and  power,  to 
date  my  conversion. 

Grant  me  once  more,  Almighty  Lord, 

To  supplicate  thy  throne  of  grace ; 
Withdraw  not  yet  thy  precious  word 

From  me ;  oh !  hide  not  now  thy  face. 

My  foes  encompass  me  around, 

On  every  side  their  arrows  fly ; 
Heal,  heal,  O  Lord,  this  deadly  wound, — 

Immanuel  save  me,  or  I  die ! 

'Tis  all  in  vain  I  arm  my  heart 

With  firm  resolves  to  shun  the  snare — 

The  tempter  comes  with  subtle  art, 
Corrupts  the  guard,  and  enters  there. 

Thy  temple,  Lord,  have  they  denied, 

Thine  altars  have  they  broken  down, 
The  place  where  once  thy  beauty  smiled 

Now  seems  o'erclouded  with  thy  frown. 

Once  more  wilt  thou,  my  Saviour,  deign 

To  bless  me  with  thy  smile  benign ; 
Oh  !  wilt  thou  yet  consent  to  reign 

Within  a  heart  so  frail  as  mine  ? 

I  feel  the  burden  of  my  sin, 

Abhor  the  masters  I  have  served ; 
Thine  eye  hath  all  mine  anguish  seen, 

And  all  my  bitter  tears  observed. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  1 3 

Oh !  fix  within  my  heart  thy  throne, 

From  sin's  hard  bondage  set  me  free ; 
I'll  place  my  trust  in  Thee  alone, 

And  all  my  soul  devote  to  Thee. 

"8th  mo.  13th,  1824. — How  often  have  I  had  to  admire 
the  tender  mercies  of  my  Saviour.  Thou  art  ever  blessed, 
O  Lord,  and  they  only  are  blessed  who  live  in  thee.  Thou 
art  the  source  of  life  and  joy,  and  they  are  lifeless  and 
wretched  who  are  separated  from  thee.  Oh  !  may  I  con- 
tinue to  love  thee  more  and  more,  as  I  see  thy  increasing 
beauty.  My  heart  is,  I  trust,  absolutely  resigned  to  thee 
now,  and  I  feel  that  the  enemy  can  never  be  subdued  while 
there  is  a  disposition  to  keep  back  aught  of  the  obedience 
thou  requirest." 


CHAPTER  III. 

Attends  a  Methodist  class-meeting  with  William  Lamphier — Reflec- 
tions thereon — Receives  a  prize  for  his  poem  "  The  Country  School- 
House" — Correspondence  with  George  P.  Morris — Becomes  a  con- 
tributor to  the  New  York  Mirror — Religious  controversy  in  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends — A  sermon  by  Margaret  Judge — Death  of  Rachel 
Ellicott — Poem  on  Affliction. 

i824-'25. 

Among  my  intimate  friends,  about  the  time  I  arrived 
at  manhood,  and  for  some  years  afterwards,  was  Wil- 
liam Lamphier,  a  local  preacher  among  the  Method- 
ists, and  a  devoted  Christian.  He  had,  some  years 
before,  been  my  teacher  in  the  French  language ;  we  were 
fellow-members  of  a  scientific  association,  and  a  similarity 
of  tastes  and  feelings  caused  us  to  enjoy  each  other's  soci- 
ety, although  he  was  many  years  my  senior. 


14  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

In  the  summer  of  1824,  there  was  a  religious  revival 
among  the  Methodists  in  Alexandria,  and  my  friend  Lam- 
phier,  being  a  class-leader,  invited  me  to  attend  his  class. 
I  accepted  his  invitation,  and  attended  once.  Each  mem- 
ber of  the  class  was  invited  to  give  in  his  experience  since 
the  last  meeting,  and  I  think  most  of  them  complied. 
Some  of  them  offered  vocal  supplication,  and  there  was 
among  them  a  manifestation  of  much  zeal,  which  I  thought 
proceeded  from  a  real  desire  to  lead  a  holy  life.  The  ten- 
derness and  earnestness  which  appeared  to  prevail,  had  an 
animating  influence  upon  my  mind.  I  came  away  rejoic- 
ing in  the  belief  that  there  are  more  good  people  in  the 
world  than  we  are  aware  of,  and  I  have  ever  felt  disposed, 
when  I  find  such,  to  embrace  them  as  brethren  and  sisters 
in  Christ. 

The  zeal  and  activity  of  the  Methodists  were  very  con- 
genial to  the  natural  ardor  of  my  disposition ;  but  I  came 
away  from  that  meeting  without  any  inclination  to  join 
them,  for  I  was  thoroughly  satisfied  that  the  principles  of 
Friends  approached  more  nearly  than  any  others  to  the 
Christian  standard. 

The  Methodists  are  among  the  most  zealous,  proselyting 
sects  of  our  age.  I  think  the  religious  exercises  they  en- 
gage in  are  sometimes  too  much  in  the  will  and  activity  of 
the  creature.  They  do  not  always  wait  sufficiently  for  that 
"unction  from  the  Holy  One"  which  alone  can  enable  us 
to  worship  aright ;  for  it  appears  to  me,  that  to  talk  habit- 
ually of  religion,  and  to  engage  in  devotional  exercises 
without  some  preparation  of  heart  and  sense  of  duty,  is  cal- 
culated to  diminish  our  strength  and  impair  our  spiritual 
vision. 

On  the  other  hand  there  is,  among  many  sincere-hearted 
Friends,  a  "withholding  more  than  is  meet,  which  tendeth 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  15 

to  poverty."  We  should  not  be  ashamed  or  afraid  to 
express  our  religious  convictions,  on  proper  occasions  and 
in  a  becoming  manner.  If  our  hearts  arc  really  deeply 
interested  in  the  cause  of  truth,  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  in  social  intercourse  with  our  friends,  we  must  at 
times,  be  led  to  speak  of  those  feelings  and  aspirations 
which  occupy  a  prominent  place,  if  not  the  first  place,  in 
our  affections.  It  is  especially  incumbent  upon  parents  to 
embrace  every  suitable  opportunity  to  instruct  their  chil- 
dren in  the  great  truths  of  Christianity,  and  to  lead  them, 
both  by  example  and  precept,  to  seek  for  those  enduring 
riches  which  are  the  inheritance  of  all  who  are  born  of  the 
Spirit,  and  thus  become  the  children  of  God. 

In  the  Autumn  of  1824,  I  had,  after  many  vicissitudes 
of  joy  and  grief,  attained  to  some  degree  of.  stability  and 
peace  of  mind,  through  the  continued  mercy  of  my  Heav- 
enly Father.  It  was  then  that  a  trial  of  faith  and  obe- 
dience was  permitted  to  assail  me,  by  a  successful  literary 
effort,  which  seemed  to  open  a  prospect  of  my  youthful 
dreams  being  realized.  The  following  memorandum,  made 
at  the  time,  describes  the  state  of  my  feelings : — 

"9th  mo.  13th. — During  the  last  week  my  mind  has  been 
variously  affected,  sometimes  full  of  love,  tenderness  and 
joy,  and  at  others  feeling  but  little  sense  of  comfort ;  yet, 
through  Divine  mercy,  I  have  been  generally  watchful  and, 
I  hope,  have  made  a  little  progress.  At  one  time,  being 
moved  by  an  impulse  of  Divine  love  to  a  charitable  action, 
I  was  greatly  blessed  in  the  performance  of  it,  to  my  own 
admiration  of  the  Divine  goodness  and  unspeakable  rejoic- 
ing. Let  me,  then,  in  remembrance  of  the  Lord's 
kindness  towards  me,  both  spiritually  and  temporally,  with- 
hold nothing  that  he  requires  of  me,  but  gladly  give  up  all 
to  his  service,  who  has  given  all  that  I  possess.    There  is  a 


1 6  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

satisfaction  in  doing  the  Divine  will  that  surpasses  all  other 
enjoyments,  and  I  hope  I  shall  never  again  be  willing  to 
feed  upon  the  "husks,"  but  wait  patiently  in  my  Father's 
house,  who  has  enough  and  to  spare,  and  is  a  bountiful 
rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him. 

"Some  months  ago  there  were  some  literary  prizes  offered 
in  New  York,  and  my  love  of  fame  induced  me  to  offer 
two  essays  for  them.  On  Third  day  last,  my  poem  enti- 
tled "The  Country  School-House"  came  to  hand,  pub- 
lished as  the  prize  poem,  with  an  invitation  from  George 
P.  Morris,  editor  of  the  New  York  Mirror,  to  send  more 
essays.  This  information,  which  at  a  former  period  would 
have  been  so  flattering,  through  the  gracious  dealings  of 
the  Lord  and  the  manifestation  of  his  love,  was  received 
without  much  rejoicing;  nay,  it  even  caused  bitterness 
of  grief  to  think  how  my  heart  had  been  devoted  to  those 
things  which  I  now  see  are  but  dross  and  tinsel,  compared 
with  the  riches  of  heavenly  love.  The  moral  essay,  in 
verse,  which  I  have  on  hand,  I  do  not  feel  at  liberty  to 
send  until  (through  Divine  assistance)  I  shall  have  com- 
pletely conquered  the  love  of  applause. 

"I  have  written  an  essay,  in  prose,  on  the  love  of  fame, 
which  I  hope  will  do  good,  and  feel  at  liberty  to  send  it, 
as  it  shows,  in  part,  my  reasons  for  not  sending  the  others." 

The  prose  essay  alluded  to  in  the  foregoing  extract  was 
published  in  the  New  York  Mirror ;  and  afterwards  I  sent 
to  the  editor  of  that  paper,  George  P.  Morris,  a  number 
of  essays,  in  prose  and  verse,  which  were  published. 

A  correspondence  took  place  between  the  editor  and 
myself,  and  afterwards  a  personal  acquaintance  was  formed. 
For  some  years  I  sent  him  occasional  contributions;  but 
a  large  portion  of  the  paper  being  occupied  with  tales 
and  other  light  reading,  my  interest  in  it  gradually  de- 
clined, and  I  ceased  to  be  a  contributor. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  1 7 

About  this  time  my  feelings  were  deeply  interested,  and 
sometimes  grieved,  by  the  religious  controversy  then  going 
on  in  the  Society  of  Friends.  The  doctrinal  views  of  Elias 
Hicks  were  strenuously  opposed  by  several  ministers  from 
England,  and  by  many  ministers  and  elders  of  our  Society 
in  this  country,  who  charged  him  with  a  denial  of  the  fun- 
damental doctrines  of  Christianity.  On  the  other  hand, 
his  numerous  friends  contended  that  he  preached  the  gos- 
pel in  purity  and  exemplified  it  by  a  holy  life. 

During  several  years  the  meetings  of  Friends  were  dis- 
tracted by  this  controversy ;  many  pamphlets  and  other 
publications  were  issued  on  both  sides  \  it  was  the  frequent 
topic  of  conversation,  and  in  the  heat  of  discussion,  party 
zeal  was  more  apparent  than  Christian  charity. 

The  two  most  prominent  ministers  of  our  meeting,  Ed- 
ward Stabler  and  Dr.  E.  C.  Dick,  did  not  agree  in  senti- 
ment concerning  the  doctrinal  points  at  issue ;  the  former 
being  satisfied  with  the  views  of  Elias  Hicks,  and  the  latter 
opposed  to  them. 

The  following  memorandums,  made  at  the  time,  express 
my  own  feelings  and  impressions: — - 

"  1824,  9th  mo.  20th. — Yesterday  morning  was  a  time 
of  trial  and  deep  distress.  Our  ancient  friend  E.  C.  Dick 
delivered,  in  our  meeting  for  worship,  a  testimony  which 
I  scarcely  know  how  to  record,  though  I  believe  it  will  be 
right  to  preserve  the  remembrance  of  it. 

"  He  stated  the  pain  it  gave  him  and  the  condemnation 
he  felt  at  a  former  meeting,  for  not  standing  up  and  testi- 
fying to  the  Divinity  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
as  manifested  in  the  flesh  personally  on  earth,  crucified  by 
the  Jews,  received  up  into  Heaven,  and  seated  on  the  right 
hand  of  God;  who  is  the  only  Saviour  and  Mediator 
between  God  and  man;    through  whose  death  we  have 

2 


1 8  Me?noirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

received  the  remission  of  sins,  and  through  whose  spirit 
we  are  raised  up  into  life  eternal,  and  made  living  mem- 
bers of  his  Church. 

"  He  seemed  greatly  to  fear  the  progress  amongst  us  of 
those  Unitarian  doctrines  which  attribute  to  Christ  no 
further  excellency  than  that  of  being  a  good  man,  and  the 
first-born  among  the  sons  of  God,  and  assume  that  all,  by 
obedience  to  the  Divine  light,  may  become  equal  with 
Christ.  'But,' said  he,  'Christ,  after  his  resurrection,  told  his 
disciples,  "All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  Heaven  and  in 
earth ;"  the  Scripture  also  says  he  is  set  down  on  the  right 
hand  of  God,  and  will  reign  until  all  his  enemies  are  sub- 
jected unto  him,  and  then  he  will  come  and  judge  all  na- 
tions ;  his  elect  (or  those  who  have  served  him)  will  meet 
him  in  the  air;  the  rest  he  will  condemn,  and  he  will  create 
new  heaven  and  a  new  earth  for  the  righteous  to  dwell  in 
with  him.' 

"He  seemed  evidently  to  allude  to  a  friend  in  our  meet- 
ing (calling  him  a  brother  whom  he  greatly  esteemed),  as 
preaching  a  different  doctrine,  and  making  Saviours  of  all 
the  Christian  graces;  whereas  there  is  but  one  Saviour, 
'the  man  Christ  Jesus.'  He  also  alluded  to  a  Friend  or 
Friends  in  the  North  as  denying  the  Lord  that  bought  them, 
and  described  this  belief  as  an  ignus-fatuus  that  had  misled 
•many,  as  it  was  predicted  by  Christ  should  be  the  case  in 
the  latter  days. 

"  My  mind  was  greatly  bowed  with  grief  under 
this  discourse,  as  there  is  evidently  a  difference  of  belief 
between  two  ministers  who  are  the  foremost  in  our  meet- 
ing, and  the  leaders  of  the  flock.  From  both  I  have  de- 
rived spiritual  benefit,  but  more  especially  from  him  who 
delivered  the  testimony  as  above  stated,  whose  ministry 
rm  ^r  1o<"r>  b??n  particularly  blessed  to  rne.      The  doc- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Jaiincy.  19 

trines  he  preaches  are,  I  believe,  the  true  doctrines  of 
Christ  and  his  apostles ;  yet  the  public  mannner  in  which 
the  testimony  was  delivered,  in  direct  and  pointed  oppo- 
sition to  a  brother  minister  (who  has  been  longer  in  the 
church),  is,  I  fear,  an  infringement  of  the  good  order  of 
the  gospel,  and  of  the  discipline  which  should  prevail  in 
the  church.  For  my  own  part,  my  desire  is  that  we  may 
follow  neither  Paul  nor  Apollos,  but  wait  upon  Christ, 
and,  searching  the  Scriptures  diligently,  depend  upon  him 
who  is  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our  faith,  for  the  inter- 
pretation of  the  mysteries  they  treat  of.  My  constant 
prayer  has  been  that  the  Lord  would  shine  in  the  hearts  of 
all,  convincing  those  who  err,  confirming  those  who  are 
right,  and  stirring  up  the  lukewarm  to  a  more  lively  faith. 
Oh,  that  He  would  be  with  us,  to  preserve  us  from  con- 
tention, and  enable  us,  with  meekness  and  love,  to  bear 
with  one  another !  '  Spare  thy  people,  O  Lord  !  and  give 
not  thine  heritage  to  reproach.' 

"9th  mo.  28th,  1824. — Oh,  let  me  praise  the  Lord  for 
his  unspeakable  mercy  towards  me.  I  have  every  day 
occasion  to  bless  his  holy  name,  and  to  thank  him  that  he 
has  called  me  out  of  the  dark  path  of  my  own  will,  into 
obedience  to  his  gracious  commands.  Thou,  O  Lord, 
dost  bless  those,  who  love  and  obey  Thee,  with  the  sweet 
savor  of  thy  spirit  and  the  pure  delight  of  thy  commu- 
nion, which  consists  not  in  elementary  types,  but  in  the 
reality  of  thy  presence  and  the  endearing  sense  of  thy 
love.  Be  pleased  still  to  be  with  me  through  life,  and  may 
my  path  be  as  the  path  of  the  just,  a  shining  light,  bright- 
er and  brighter  unto  the  perfect  day.  Who  is  like  unto 
the  Lord  in  glory  and  strength ;  for  at  his  word  the  enemy 
was  struck  with  confusion.  Who  is  like  unto  him  in 
mercy;   for  he  hath  heard  the  prayer  of  the  poor  and 


20  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

needy  when  there  was  none  to  help ;  he  hath  scattered 
every  foe,  and  spoken  peace  to  my  soul  ?  Even  the  hours 
of  his  transient  absence,  though  dark  and  gloomy,  are 
made,  through  his  mercy,  the  messengers  of  his  love.  The 
soul  that  has  enjoyed  his  presence  may  forget  the  value  of 
the  blessing ;  but  when  this  is  withdrawn  for  a  season,  it 
induces  a  careful  watchfulness  and  diligent  search  into 
the  heart,  an  humble  dependence  upon  his  Almighty  arm, 
and  prepares  again  to  receive  him  with  thankfulness  and 
joy." 

For  some  time  after  this  I  was  preserved  in  watchful- 
fulness  and  peace  of  mind ;  but  not  without  suffering  and 
solicitude,  on  account  of  the  unhappy  difference  of  senti- 
ment existing  between  the  ministers  of  our  meeting.  I 
visited  E.  C.  Dick,  and  had  a  free  conference  with  him 
concerning  his  religious  views.  He  expressed  his  belief 
that  Christ  came  to  offer  up  his  body  as  a  propitiation  for 
the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  that  through  faith  in  his 
blood  shed  for  us,  we  might  have  remission  of  sins,  and 
through  his  spirit  we  might  be  raised  up  into  newness  of 
life,  and  rendered  perfect  through  the  measure  of  the 
spirit  given  unto  us  by  him,  in  whom  dwelt  the  fulness  of 
the  Godhead  bodily. 

Soon  afterwards  I  visited  two  of  the  elders  of  our  meet- 
ing, to  confer  with  them  on  the  same  subject.  I  found 
they  placed  far  less  reliance  than  E.  C.  Dick,  upon  the 
sufferings  and  death  of  Christ.  They  relied  on  the  spirit 
of  Christ  as  the  saving  power,  and  they  referred  me  to  the 
"  more  sure  word  of  prophecy,"  as  a  light  shining  in  the 
heart  more  certain  than  the  Scriptures.  I  came  away  from 
this  interview  much  discouraged  and  burdened  with 
grief,  which  continued  nearly  all  night,  and  deprived  me 
of  my  accustomed  rest.     Next  morning  the  gloom  con- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  21 

tinued,  but  I  was  enabled  to  find  some  relief  in  prayer. 
One  of  the  elders,  my  dear  old  friend  George  Drinker, 
called  in,  to  whom  I  stated  that,  if  I  had  said  anything 
they  considered  disrespectful  in  our  interview  the  evening 
before,  I  wished  to  be  informed  of  it,  in  order  that  I 
might  make  reparation,  if  necessary ;  for  I  was  not  above 
reproof.  He  replied  that  I  had  said  nothing  improper, 
but  ".very  far  from  it,"  and  he  expressed  a  hope  that  we 
might  all  live  in  unity  and  love,  and  all  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  Truth  at  last.  I  then  felt  a  sweet  flow  of 
Divine  love,  which  melted  my  heart  and  gave  rise  to  a  flow 
of  tears.  I  felt  that  I  could  then  embrace  them  all  in  per- 
fect love,  and  I  was  enabled  to  pray  that  we  might  all  seek 
the  truth  and  find  it. 

After  these  interviews,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it 
would  be  my  duty  to  say  little  on  the  subject  to  any  one, 
but  to  wait  and  depend  on  Him  "  who  shutteth  and  no 
man  can  open,  and  who  openeth  and  no  man  can  shut  j" 
who  has  the  key  of  David,  even  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

During  several  years,  while  that  religious  controversy 
was  agitating  the  Society  of  Friends,  we  were  visited  by  a 
number  of  ministering  Friends  from  England,  among  whom 
were  Anna  Braithwaite  and  William  Forster.  Their  reli- 
gious services  deeply  interested  me,  and  I  thought  they 
were  instrumental  in  promoting  my  spiritual  welfare.  My 
doctrinal  views,  at  that  time,  were  similar  to  theirs;  but  I 
was  so  well  assured  that  Edward  Stabler  and  other  minis- 
ters, whose  sentiments  on  some  points  differed  from  theirs, 
were  good  Christians,  that  I  did  not  suffer  myself  to  fall 
under  the  dominion  of  that  censorious,  uncharitable  spirit 
which  was  then  laying  waste  our  religious  Society.  The 
doctrines  I  then  held  were  those  called  Orthodox,  but  I 
could  not  endure  the  spirit  of  bitterness  and  party  zeal  by 
which  those  doctrines  were  too  often  accompanied. 


22  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

My  feelings  were  thus  expressed  in  an  entry  dated  1 2th 
mo.  9th,  1824: — 

"Yesterday  I  was  blessed  with  the  sweet  communion  of 
the  Lord,  and  partook  with  thankfulness  of  the  bread  of 
life.  But  through  unwatchfulness,  this  morning,  I  was 
again  brought  under  condemnation,  in  which  state  I  went 
to  meeting,  and  sat  for  some  time  in  a  state  of  insensibility 
as  to  spiritual  things.  At  length  our  dear  friend  Edward 
Stabler  arose,  in  the  power  of  a  living  ministry,  and 
through  the  co-operation  of  the  spirit  of  Divine  love  in 
my  heart,  poured  in  the  oil  and  the  wine.  He  taught  us 
that  every  dispensation  of  the  Almighty  was  for  our  good, 
and  that  He  has  only  commanded  us  to  do  good  and  to 
avoid  evil  because  it  is  for  our  present  and  eternal  interest 
to  do  so ;  '  for  the  work  of  righteousness  is  peace,  and  the 
effect  thereof  quietness  and  assurance  forever.'  It  is  a 
great  mercy  that  He  will  not  suffer  us  to  enter  into  the 
garden  of  Eden  (or  enjoyment)  while  in  a  corrupt  or 
guilty  state,  lest  we  partake  of  the  tree  of  life  and  live 
forever  in  that  state.  Oh !  let  me  submit  to  the  sword  of 
the  spirit,  which  will  destroy  the  evil,  and  enable  me  to 
enter  into  the  Paradise  of  God." 

Near  the  close  of  the  year  1824,  being  on  a  visit  at  the 
house  of  my  friend  Benjamin  Hallowell,  in  Alexandria,  on 
First-day  evening,  I  participated  in  a  religious  opportunity 
in  which,  after  a  season  of  silent  waiting  upon  God,  the 
gospel  was  preached  by  Margaret  Judge,  a  minister  of  our 
Society,  afterwards  known  extensively  as  Margaret  Brown. 
Benjamin  and  Margaret  (his  wife)  were  addressed  in  the 
language  of  encouragement,  and  particularly  the  former, 
who  was  reminded  of  his  trials  and  deliverances,  in  which 
he  had  found  the  love  of  God  manifested  towards  him ; 
and  be  was  assured  that  "his  feet  would  be  anointed  to 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  23 

tread  upon  the  high  places  of  the  earth."  She  then  ad- 
dressed me  in  language  not  less  consoling,  stating  that  I 
had  been  with  Jesus  in  the  garden, — that  my  tears  shed 
before  him  were  bottled  up  in  remembrance;  and  she  con- 
cluded by  assuring  me  that,  if  I  remained  faithful,  "He 
would  cause  me  to  shine  as  a  bright  star  in  the  firmament 
of  his  glory." 

I  was  humbled  and  contrited  under  her  communication, 
which  appeared  to  me  to  be  attended  with  unction  from 
on  high. 

On  the  22d  of  the  4th  month,  1825,  my  dear  friend  and 
step-sister  Rachel  Ellicott,  aged  21  years  16  days,  closed 
her  mortal  career,  to  rise,  I  trust,  in  a  purer  and  happier 
realm.  The  event  had  been  for  a  long  time  expected,  and 
we  were  in  some  degree  resigned  to  the  loss,  but  still  the 
stroke  was  severe.  She  was  calm  and  resigned  to  the  will 
of  her  Divine  Master,  in  whom  her  confidence  was  placed. 
About  thirty-six  hours  before  her  death,  when  she  supposed 
her  end  was  near,  I  was  sent  for  to  see  her.  She  received 
me  most  affectionately,  and  said  she  felt  calm  and  peaceful, 
and  hoped  she  should  not  be  alarmed  when  the  awful  time 
came.  After  a  while  a  little  cloud  of  doubting  came  over 
her  mind,  when  the  Comforter  seemed  to  have  left  her  for 
a  season,  and  she  was  apprehensive  she  had  not  been  suf- 
ficiently earnest  in  the  great  work  of  salvation.  I  told  her 
that  Christ  would  never  leave  his  disciples  entirely,  though 
he  sometimes  hid  his  presence  from  them  for  a  season,  for 
a  trial  of  their  patience.  She  appeared  attentive  to  the 
remark,  and  when  Dr.  Dick,  whom  she  had  sent  for,  came 
in  soon  after,  she  asked  him,  "  Does  our  kind  Master  ever 
leave  us  for  awhile,  to  try  our  patience?"  He  replied  that 
it  was  frequently  the  case  with  even  the  holiest  men,  and 
he  related  some  instances  within  his  own  observation,  with 
many  passages  of  Scripture,  to  relieve  and  comfort  her. 


24  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

After  awhile  she  said,  "Now,  Doctor,  let  me  commune 
with  my  own  heart."  He  ceased,  and  she  seemed  engaged 
in  supplication,  after  which  the  peace  and  serenity  re- 
turned, and  continued,  I  believe,  to  the  end. 

The  next  morning  I  conversed  with  her  again  on  the 
state  of  her  feelings  and  the  prospect  of  death,  when  she 
looked  forward  to  the  solemn  event  with  calm  resignation 
to  the  Divine  will.  She  suffered  severe  pain  until  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  when  she  sent  for  Dr.  Dick,  and  inquired 
if  the  time  of  her  release  was  not  at  hand,  and  might  not 
be  expected  in  an  hour  or  two.  He  thought  not  so  soon, 
but  supposed  the  pain  would  soon  be  alleviated.  She  lived 
only  about  one  hour  from  that  time,  being  quite  calm  and 
serene,  then  she  remarked,  "I  am  going,"  and  expired 
without  a  struggle. 

Thus  passed  away,  from  earth  to  Heaven,  a  pure  and 
lovely  being,  who  had  once  been  the  object  of  my  ardent 
attachment  and  sanguine  hopes,  but  whose  lingering  illness 
had  sobered  and  chastened  my  feelings  towards  her,  until 
I  regarded  her  with  a  brotherly  affection  and  Christian 
sympathy.  To  her  were  addressed  the  following  lines, 
written  during  her  illness : — 

AFFLICTION. 

Though  long  upon  the  willow-tree  has  hung 

My  harp, — or  only  in  the  lonely  hours 

Of  solitude  been  swept  by  sorrow's  hand, — 

Fain  would  I  bring,  dear  sister,  to  thine  ear, 

Some  soothing  lay  to  cheer  th'  afflictive  hour. 

And  shall  I  sing  the  joy  affliction  brings, 

How  it  becomes  the  messenger  of  Heaven 

To  call  us  from  our  earthly  loves  and  cares, 

And  fix  our  thoughts  on  purer  things  above? 

Oh  !   I  have  felt  how  gently  it  unclasps 

The  tendrils  that  we  twine  around  those  weeds 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  25 

Of  earth, — which  were  too  weak  for  our  support; 

And  how  it  gives  a  surer,  stronger  stay, 

To  lift  dependent  man  above  the  dust, 

In  the  bright  sunshine  of  eternal  love; 

And  when  the  tempest  rages,  to  uphold 

The  trembling  soul.      Thou,  too,  hast  felt  these  things; 

Thou  hast,  I  trust,  found  Him,  of  whom  'tis  said 

That  "  Moses  and  the  prophets  spake," — himself 

While  here  on  earth,  a  life  of  sorrow  led ; 

And  is  it  strange  that  they  whom  He  designs 

To  reign  with  him,  should  share  his  sufferings  too  ? 

"  He  chasteneth  whom  He  loveth," — let  us  then,  . 

Dear  sister,  raise  to  Him  the  incense  pure 

Of  gratitude,  for  all  his  favors  past ; 

Even  for  afflictions, — which  like  clouds  and  rain, 

Obscure  awhile  the  brightness  of  our  sky, — 

But  are  the  means  appointed  to  bring  forth 

The  tender  plant,  and  to  sustain  its  life. 

Yet  are  there  times,  even  in  the  darkest  days, 

When  light  shines  thro'  the  broken  clouds,  and  brings 

Before  the  mental  eye,  that  heavenly  bow, 

Which  gives  the  promise  of  a  purer  sky, 

Where  Truth  celestial  shall  unclouded  shine, 

And  love  and  mercy  reign  forever  more. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Co-partnership  with  Dr.  Bond — Marriage — Bridal  tour — Poem  upon 
Lake  George — Labors  for  the  Colored  people — Formation  of  a 
Benevolent  Society — Joins  a  Colonization  Society — Petition  to  Con- 
gress for  the  Abolition  of  Slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia — 
Illness  and  visit  to  the  Red  Sulphur  Springs — Poem. 

1825  to  1829. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1825,  I  entered  into  co-part- 
nership with  my  friend  Thomas  M.  Bond,  and  we. opened  a 
store  in  Alexandria  in  the  Apothecary  business.     He  had 


26  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

been  engaged  in  that  line  of  business  and  was  well  instruc- 
ted in  it,  but  I  had  no  knowledge  of  it.  It  was  therefore 
arranged  that  he  should  have  charge  of  it,  and  that  I  should 
retain  my  place  as  clerk  for  my  uncle  Phineas  Janney. 
This  co-partnership  continued  only  about  a  year,  when  we 
sold  out  our  stock,  and  my  partner,  having  studied  medicine, 
went  to  college  in  order  to  prepare  himself  for  a  physician. 

During  the  summer  of  the  same  year,  on  my  recovery 
from  sickness,  the  following  memorandum  was  made: — 

"8th  mo.  3d.  Thou  art  merciful  Oh  Lord  in  all  thy 
dispensations ;  I  thank  Thee  for  this  slight  affliction  which 
has  in  some  measure  awakened  me  from  the  torpor  into 
which  I  had  fallen.  Nothing  short  of  entire  resignation  to 
thy  will  and  continual  watchfulness  over  myself,  will  save 
me  from  sin  and  effect  the  great  work  of  regeneration 
without  which  no  man  can  see  the  Lord." 

On  the  9th  day  of  the  3d  month  1826,  I  was  married 
in  Friends'  meeting  house  in  Alexandria,  to  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Janney.  Pier  parents  had 
been  residents  of  Alexandria,  but  were  both  deceased,  and 
she  lived  with  her  stepmother  Ann  Janney.  My  wife  and 
I  were  distantly  related ;  our  grandfathers  being  first 
cousins.  We  had  known  and  esteemed  each  other  for 
many  years,  and  our  friendship  gradually  ripened  into  a 
warmer  and  more  tender  affection,  which  being  sanctioned 
and  confirmed  by  the  holy  rite  of  matrimony,  has  resulted 
in  a  union  that  I  regard  as  the  greatest  of  all  my  temporal 
blessings.  In  prosperity  and  adversity  she  has  been  a  safe 
counsellor,  a  sympathizing  companion  and  a  helpmeet 
steadfast  in  love  and  devotion. 

Soon  after  our  marriage  we  went  on  a  tour  to  the  Falls 
of  Niagara,  thence  to  Montreal  and  Quebec,  returning 
by  way  of  Lake  Champlain  and  through  several  of  the  New 
England  states,     It  was  a  season  of  unalloyed  enjoyment., 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  27 

The  following  lines  written  at  Lake  George  express  some 
of  the  feelings  experienced  during  that  excursion. 

LAKE  GEORGE. 

Sweet,  peaceful  Lake !  how  would  I  love  to  glide 

At  morn  and  eve  upon  thy  crystal  tide ; 

Push  the  light  skiff  along  thy  silent  shore, 

Where  rocks  and  verdant  woods  are  hanging  o'er; 

Among  the  islands  on  thy  bosom  rove, 

In  shady  nook  or  cool  sequester'd  grove  ; 

Or  seek  some  cave  beneath  yon  towering  hill, 

Where  mossy  rocks  the  crystal  stream  distil. 

But  not  thro  scenes  like  these,  alone,  I'd  stray, — 

One  dear  companion  still  should  cheer  my  way ; 

Her  brightening  eye  should  on  these  beauties  gaze 

Her  raptured  tongue  should  dwell  upon  their  praise ; 

Meanwhile  the  stream  of  life  would  glide  away, 

Pure  as  thy  waters,  and  serene  as  they. 

Oh!  I  have  watch'd  with  rapture  lighted  eye 

The  earliest  dawn  that  ting'd  yon  orient  sky, — 

Seen  the  blue  mists  around  these  mountains  roll'd, 

Their  graceful  outlines  ting'd  with  burnish' d  gold, 

Till  from  yon  cliffs  that  o'er  the  waters  frown, 

The  sun,  uprisen  pour'd  his  radiance  down; 

Chas'd  by  his  light,  the  sombre  shades  withdrew, 

The  scattered  clouds  in  wild  confusion  flew, 

Clear  and  distinct  each  beauteous  scene  became, 

And  all  the  mountain  tops  were  fringed  with  flame. 

Delightful  Lake !  how  grateful  is  the  scene, 

At  sultry  noon  among  thy  Islands  green, 

Where  cool  and  shelter' d  from  the  scorching  ray, 

The  patient  Angler  whiles  the  hours  away ; 

Leans  o'er  the  bank,  and  in  the  crystal  tide 

Sees  round  his  hook  the  playful  fishes  glide, 

Till  some  poor  victim  tempted  by  the  bait 

Is  drawn  reluctant  to  his  hapless  fate. 

When  o'er  yon  mountain  glows  the  setting  sun, 

And  all  the  labors  of  the  day  are  done, 


28  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

How  would  I  love,  devoid  of  care,  to  stray 

Along  thy  shores,  and  watch  the  closing  day, 

See  the  last  lingering  beam  of  light  that  gilds, 

The  craggy  summits  of  yon  eastern  hills, 

Or  mark  the  shades  of  evening  mantling  round 

Yon  ancient  fortress  crumbling  to  the  ground, 

Where  erst,  the  sons  of  men  in  wrathful  hour, 

Contended  fiercely  for  the  grasp  of  power. 

Pure,  peaceful  Lake!  long  will  my  heart  hold  dear 

The  bright  remembrance  of  the  hours  passed  here  ; 

Where  love's  bright  flame  and  friendship's  genial  ray 

A  pleasing  radiance  shed  around  my  way, 

And  gave  a  lovelier  form  and  brighter  hue 

To  every  scene  that  met  my  wondering  view. 

At  the  time  of  my  marriage  I  was  engaged  in  mercantile 
business  in  Alexandria,  and  during  many  years  a  consider- 
able share  of  my  attention  was  devoted  to  the  subject  of 
slavery  and  the  means  of  alleviating  the  condition  of  the 
people  of  color.  In  conjunction  with  other  members  of  our 
religious  society,  and  a  few  Methodists,  I  took  an  active 
part  in  forming  and  conducting  an  Association  which  was 
called  the  Benevolent  Society.  To  rescue  from  the  poses- 
sion  of  the  slave  traders,  persons  illegally  held  in  bondage 
and  to  enlighten  the  public  mind  in  regard  to  the  evils  of 
slavery  were  two  of  the  main  objects  we  had  in  view.  At 
that  time  the  domestic  slave  trade  was  actively  carried  on 
in  Alexandria,  and  among  its  victims  were  some  who  were 
free  born,  or  were  slaves  only  for  a  term  of  years.  These 
we  sometimes  succeeded  in  rescuing  by  a  legal  process,  but 
not  unfrequently  they  were  carried  off  by  the  traders  before 
we  received  information  of  their  captivity.  On  behalf  of 
the  Association  I  wrote  a  series  of  essays  on  slavery  and  the 
domestic  slave  trade,  which  were  published  in  the  year  1827 
in  the  Alexandria  Gazette,  a  paper  that  had  a  considerable 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  29 

circulation  in  Virginia.  The  opposition  to  such  publications 
in  our  state  was  not  then  so  great  as  it  became  a  few  years 
later,  and  the  views  we  promulgated  adverse  to  slavery,  were 
read  without  producing  any  demonstrations  of  violence. 
Slavery  was  then  generally  acknowledged  to  be  an  evil  en- 
tailed upon  us  by  former  generations,  which  it  was  alleged 
could  not  be  removed  without  much  danger,  and  most  of 
the  slave  holders  maintained  that  the  negroes  when  libera- 
ted must  be  colonized  in  some  foreign  country.  I  was  a 
member  of  the  colonization  society,  and  then  believed  its 
purpose  of  removing  the  free  people  of  color  and  liberated 
slaves  to  Africa,  would  be  the  means  of  promoting  eman- 
cipation in  the  Southern  States,  and  of  planting  a  colony 
that  would  spread  civilization  and  Christianity  in  that 
benighted  country.  Subsequently  I  became  convinced 
that  the  tendency  of  the  scheme  of  colonization  was  to 
quiet  the  conscience  of  the  people,  lead  to  a  false  security, 
and  put  off,  to  a  distant  day  the  work  of  emancipation. 
It  must  however  be  admitted,  that  the  planting  of  the 
colony  of  Liberia  has  been  a  blessing  to  the  people  of 
Africa,  and  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  great  and  bene- 
ficent results  will  flow  from  it.  May  the  Author  of  all 
good,  cause  it  to  be  instrumental  in  advancing  the  happi- 
ness of  man  by  extending  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

About  the  year  1826  or  1827,  our  Benevolent  Society  in 
conjunction  with  a  similar  Association  in  Washington  City 
got  up  a  petition  to  Congress  for  the  abolition  of  slavery 
in  the  District  of  Columbia.  We  obtained  the  signatures 
of  about  a  thousand  respectable  citizens,  among  whom  were 
prominent  merchants  and  judges  of  the  District  Courts. 
While  soliciting  signatures  to  the  petition,  I  remember 
that  I  called  on  Geo.  Washington  Park  Custis,  the  step  son 
of  Gen.  Washington,  and  the  proprietor  of  the  Arlington 


30  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Jantiey. 

estate.  He  treated  me  with  civility,  and  admitted  the 
evils  of  slavery,  but  declined  to  sign  the  petition.  He 
spoke  freely  of  the  unproductiveness  of  slave  labor, 
and  said;  "I  am  accounted  among  the  richest  men  in 
Virginia,  yet  I  seldom  have  a  dollar."  He  knew  that 
slavery  was  wrong  in  principle  and  disastrous  to  the  best 
interests  of  the  state,  but  although  he  made  high  pro- 
fessions of  patriotism  in  his  public  orations,  he  made  no 
effort  or  submitted  to  any  sacrifices  to  remove  an  evil 
which  he  seemed  to  deplore.  He  did,  however,  follow 
the  example  of  Washington  by  providing  in  his  will  for  the 
liberation  of  his  slaves.  Our  petition  was  presented  to 
Congress,  and  although  it  seemed  to  have  no  immediate 
effect,  it  was  in  subsequent  years,  sometimes  referred  to  in 
the  earnest  debates  that  took  place  on  the  subject  of 
slavery.  The  following  extracts  from  the  petition  will 
show  the  sentiments  then  entertained  by  many  citizens  of 
the  District  of  Columbia.  "  While  the  laws  of  the  United 
States  denounce  the  foreign  slave  trade  as  piracy,  and 
punish  with  death  those  who  are  found  engaged  in  its 
perpetration,  there  exists  in  this  District,  the  seat  of  the 
National  Government,  a  domestic  slave  trade  scarcely  less 
disgraceful  in  its  character,  and  even  more  demoralizing  in 
its  influence.  For  this  is  not  like  the  former,  carried  on 
against  a  barbarous  nation ;  its  victims  are  reared  up 
among  the  people  of  this  country,  educated  in  the  precepts 
of  the  same  religion,  and  imbued  with  similar  domestic 
attachments.  These  people  are  without  their  consent  torn 
from  their  homes,  husband  and  wife  are  frequently  separa- 
ted and  sold  into  distant  parts,  children  are  taken  from 
their  parents  without  regard  to  the  ties  of  nature,  and  the 
most  endearing  bonds  of  affection  are  broken  forever. 
Nor  is  this  traffic  confined  to  those  who  are  legally  slaves 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  Af.  Janney.  31 

for  life.  Some  who  are  entitled  to  freedom,  and  many 
who  have  a  limited  time  to  serve,  are  sold  into  uncon- 
ditional slavery,  and  owing  to  the  defectiveness  of  our 
laws,  they  are  generally  carried  out  of  the  District  before 
the  necessary  steps  can  be  taken  for  their  release.  Nor  is 
it  only  from  the  rapacity  of  slave  traders  that  the  colored 
race  in  this  District  are  doomed  to  suffer.  Even  the  laws 
which  govern  us,  sanction  and  direct  in  certain  cases,  a  pro- 
cedure that  we  believe  is  unparalleled  in  glaring  injustice 
by  any  thing  at  present  known  among  the  Governments  of 
Christendom. 

An  instance  of  the  operation  of  these  laws,  which 
occurred  during  the  last  summer  we  will  briefly  relate.  A 
colored  man  who  stated  that  he  was  entitled  to  his  free- 
dom was  taken  up  as  a  runaway  and  lodged  in  the  jail  at 
Washington  City.  He  was  advertised,  but  no  one  appear- 
ing to  claim  him,  he  was  according  to  law  put  up  at  public 
auction  for  the  payment  of  his  jail  fees,  and  sold  as  a  slave 
for  life.  He  was  purchased  by  a  slave  trader  who  was  not 
required  to  give  security  for  his  remaining  in  the  District, 
and  he  was  soon  after  shipped  at  Alexandria  for  one  of  the 
Southern  States.  An  attempt  was  made  by  some  benevolent 
individuals  to  have  the  sale  postponed  until  his  claim  to 
freedom  could  be  investigated,  but  their  efforts  were  un- 
availing ;  and  thus  was  a  human  being  sold  into  perpetual 
bondage  at  the  capital  of  the  freest  government  on  earth 
without  a  pretence  of  trial  or  an  allegation  of  crime. 

This  odious  law  was  adopted  with  the  old  code  of  Mary- 
land, from  which  we  believe  it  has  been  expunged  since 
this  District  was  ceded  to  the  General  Government.  The 
fact  of  its  having  been  so  recently  executed  shows  the 
necessity  of  this  subject  being  investigated  by  a  power 
which  we  confidently  hope  will  be  ready  to  correct  it. 


32  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

The  existence  among  us  of  a  distinct  class  of  people, 
who  by  their  condition  as  slaves,  are  deprived  of  almost 
every  incentive  to  virtue  and  industry,  and  shut  out 
from  many  of  the  sources  of  light  and  knowledge,  has  an 
evident  tendency  to  corrupt  the  morals  of  the  people,  and 
to  dampen  the  spirit  of  enterprise  by  accustoming  the 
rising  generation  to  look  with  contempt  upon  honest  labor 
and  to  depend  for  support  too  much  upon  the  labor  of 
others.  It  prevents  a  useful  and  industrious  class  of  people 
from  settling  among  us,  by  rendering  the  means  of  sub- 
sistence more  precarious  to  the  laboring  class  of  whites;  it 
diminishes  the  resources  of  the  community  by  throwing  the 
earnings  of  the  poor  into  the  coffers  of  the  rich,  thus 
rendering  the  former  dependent,  servile,  and  improvident, 
while  the  latter  are  tempted  to  become  in  the  same  pro- 
portion luxurious  and  prodigal.  *  *  *  "  We  would  there- 
fore respectfully  pray  that  these  grievances  may  claim  the 
attention  of  your  honorable  body,  and  that  a  law  of  Con- 
gress may  be  enacted,  declaring  that  all  children  of  slaves 
born  in  the  District  of  Columbia  after  the  fourth  of  July 
1828,  shall  be  free  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years ;  and  that 
those  laws  which  authorize  the  selling  of  supposed  run- 
aways for  their  prison  fees  or  maintenance  may  be  repealed. 
And  also  that  laws  may  be  enacted  to  prevent  slaves  from 
being  removed  into  this  District,  or  brought  in  for  sale, 
hire  or  transportation,  without  however,  preventing  mem- 
bers of  Congress,  resident  strangers,  or  travellers  from 
bringing  and  taking  away  their  domestic  servants." 

The  enactment  asked  for  in  this  petition  appears  very 
inadequate,  in  as  much  as  the  holding  of  people  in  bondage 
till  they  are  twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  then  liberating 
them  would  not  satisfy  the  demands  of  justice.  We  had  to 
yield   something   to  public   opinion,  in   order  to  obtain 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  33 

signers  to  our  petition,  and  we  asked  for  as  much  as  we 
thought  could  possibly  be  obtained. 

For  my  part,  I  was  in  favor  of  immediate  and  uncondi- 
tional emancipation,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  say  so ;  but 
knowing  the  prejudice  against  it  in  the  minds  of  the  people, 
I  only  asked  for  gradual  emancipation. 

In  the  year  1828,  I  entered  into  partnership  with  my 
brother-in-law  Samuel  H.  Janney,  to  build  and  conduct  a 
cotton  factory  at  Occoquan,  sixteen  miles  south  of  Ale- 
xandria. 

We  had  a  commercial  house  in  Alexandria  where  I  resi- 
ded, but  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years  I  found  it 
expedient  to  remove  to  Occoquan.  Before  our  removal 
from  Alexandria  I  had  a  severe  attack  of  bilious  fever 
which  brought  me  very  low,  and  caused  deep  searching  of 
heart  as  to  my  spiritual  condition.  After  I  had  so  far  re- 
covered as  to  go  out  and  attend  to  business  I  found  my 
health  was  seriously  impaired ;  I  had  a  troublesome  cough, 
sometimes  attended  with  spitting  of  blood  and  a  hectic 
fever.  In  this  condition  I  set  off  on  horseback  to  visit 
some  of  the  Virginia  Springs  in  the  summer  of  1829,  being 
accompanied  by  my  father  as  far  as  Charlottesville  and 
Monticello. 

The  sublime  scenery  through  which  I  passed  was  ex- 
hilarating to  my  spirits,  and  the  ride  on  horseback  by  easy 
stages,  increased  my  appetite  and  strength. 

At  the  Red  Sulphur  Spring  in  Monroe  County,  Va.,  I 
spent  some  weeks  with  very  great  advantage  to  my  health. 
The  water  has  the  property  of  reducing  the  pulse,  and  in- 
creasing the  appetite.  It  is  much  resorted  to,  by  consump- 
tive patients  and  many  have  attributed  their  recovery  from 
that  wasting  disease  to  its  healing  Virtues.  From  one  of 
my  letters  written  there  to  my  wife  I  select  the  following 

3 


34  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Ja?iney. 

passage:  "I  trust  my  health  is  now  restored,  but  I  am 
more  liable  to  another  attack  than  before,  and  I  must 
try  to  pursue  a  different  course  on  my  return  home,  but 
how  to  effect  it  I  hardly  know,  as  the  labors  of  the 
counting  house  cannot  be  dispensed  with  while  I  remain  in 
the  business.  Men  of  business  insensibly  become  more 
and  more  interested  in  it  until  the  whole  mind  is  absorbed 
by  it,  and  life  passes  on  like  a  delirious  dream  of  care  and 
anxiety  until  we  are  awakened  by  some  sudden  shock  which 
opens  our  eyes  and  changes  all  our  views.  Since  I  left 
home,  I  have  necessarily  passed  a  good  deal  of  time  in 
solitude,  which  during  the  absence  of  all  those  objects  that 
lately  engrossed  my  attention,  has  induced  a  train  of  reflec- 
tions that  I  trust  will  never  be  forgotten." 

It  was  then  customary  at  most  of  the  Virginia  Springs 
for  the  boarders  to  live  in  cabins  built  of  logs,  or  in  small 
frame  cottages.  There  was  at  the  Red  Sulphur  one  large 
hall  used  as  a  dining  room  which  was  detached  from  the 
other  buildings.  I  had  a  cabin  to  myself;  it  had  no  glass 
windows,  but  had  window  shutters,  a  clean  floor,  and  a 
comfortable  bed. 

I  had  no  books  to  read  except  the  New  Testament,  and 
being  lonely  I  sometimes  found  agreeable  employment  in 
writing  verses.  Among  the  best  of  my  compositions  at 
that  time  was  the  following  poem. 

A  NIGHT  SCENE  AMONG  THE  MOUNTAINS 
OF  VIRGINIA. 

How  calm  and  glorious  is  the  hour  of  night, 

In  these  uncultur'd  solitary  wilds, 
When  o'er  each  lowly  vale  and  lofty  height, 

The  full-orb'd  moon  in  cloudless  lustre  smiles. 

Those  lofty  mountains  with  their  forests  green, 
And  craggy  summits  towering  to  the  sky, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  35 

How  proudly  do  they  rise  o'er  all  the  scene, 
And  lift  the  mind  from  earth  to  muse  on  high. 

And  yon  pure  rivulet  that  pours  along, 

Playing  and  sparkling  in  the  moonbeams  clear, 

How  sweet  the  music  of  its  vesper  song, 
In  changeful  cadence  falls  upon  the  ear. 

And  hark !  the  roar  of  those  far-spreading  woods, 

Sinking  or  rising  as  the  wind  sweeps  by; 
Myriads  of  voices  fill  these  solitudes 

And  send  the  notes  of  melody  on  high. 

While  all  His  works  with  one  accord  rejoice, 
And  pour  forth  praises  to  the  Great  Supreme, 

Shall  man,  unmoved,  withhold  his  nobler  voice, 
Nor  glow  with  rapture  on  the  glorious  theme  ? 

His  bounteous  goodness  all  creation  fills, 

E'en  these  wild  woods  where  solitude  prevails ; 

He  sends  His  dews  upon  the  untrodden  hills, 
And  flowers  he  scatters  o'er  the  lonely  vales. 

Scenes  unfrequented  by  the  feet  of  men, 

Display  His  goodness  and  proclaim  His  might; 

He  feeds  the  wild  deer  in  the  secret  glen, 
And  the  young  eagles  on  the  craggy  height. 

His  mighty  hand  the  vivid  lightning  speeds, 

And  bursts  the  clouds  that  o'er  the  hills  impend, 

The  mountain  stream  thro'  distant  lands  He  leads, 
While  joy  and  melody  His  steps  attend. 

To  trace  His  wonders  thro'  each  varying  clime, 

And  all  His  mercies  to  the  sons  of  men, 
Fills  the  rapt  soul  with  ecstasy  sublime, 

Beyond  the  efforts  of  the  poets  pen. 

Oh !  solitude,  how  blissful  are  the  hours, 
Among  thy  shades  in  heavenly  musing  past, 

When  nature  leads  us  thro'  her  secret  bowers, 
And  contemplation  spreads  the  rich  repast. 


36  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Among  the  haunts  of  men,  the  thoughtful  mind 
That  fain  would  rise  above  the  things  of  earth, 

Finds  her  bold  flight  on  every  hand  confin'd, 
By  care  distracted,  and  reduced  by  mirth. 

But  in  the  deep  and  solemn  hour  of  night, 
The  soul  luxuriates  in  a  scene  like  this, 

From  cliff  to  cliff  she  wings  her  daring  flight, 
O'er  foaming  cataract,  or  dark  abyss. 

Or  else,  uplifted  o'er  the  things  of  time, 

By  heavenly  faith  from  all  her  bonds  set  free, 

Among  the  fields  of  ether  soars  sublime, 
And  holds  communion  with  the  Deity. 

Oh!  how  transporting  is  the  glorious  thought, 

That  He,  whose  power  upholds  yon  worlds  above, 

Is  ever  nigh,  and  ever  found  when  sought, 
To  save  and  bless  us  with  a  Father's  love. 

E'en  His  chastisements  are  with  mercy  fraught, 
And  seal  instruction  on  the  attentive  mind ; 

Driven  by  disease,  these  distant  shades  I  sought, 
And  all  the  fruitless  cares  of  life  resign' d. 

T'was  then  He  met  me,  and  in  mercy  heal'd 
The  raging  fever  that  my  strength  depress'd ; 

His  love  paternal  to  my  soul  reveal' d 

And  swell' d  the  tide  of  rapture  in  my  breast. 

Then  Oh  !  my  soul,  mayst  thou  continual  turn, 
To  Him  whose  power  alone  can  guide  thy  ways, 

May  love  Divine  upon  thy  altar  burn, 
And  every  thought  and  feeling  speak  His  praise. 


CHAPTER    V. 

Again  visits  Red  Sulphur  Springs — His  health  much  improved — Re- 
moval to  Occoquan — Visit  from  Daniel  Quinby — He  accompanies 
him  as  far  as  Richmond  and  Petersburg — Death  of  a  little  daughter 
— Publishes  a  letter  on  Christian  doctrine — His  first  appearance  in 
the  ministry — Reflections  upon  the  ministry — Indulged  meeting 
granted  at  Occoquan — Writes  Conversations  on  Religious  Subjects 
— Joins  George  Truman  in  a  religious  visit  to  the  meetings  of  Fair- 
fax Quarter — Goes  as  companion  for  George  Truman  to  visit  the 
families  of  Friends  of  Baltimore — Visits  Dunning's  Creek  with  a 
Yearly  Meeting  committee— Attends  New  York  Yearly  Meeting. 

i829-'35. 

In  the  summer  of  1830,  my  health  not  being  fully  re- 
stored, I  again  visited  the  Red  Sulphur  Springs,  accompa- 
nied by  my  wife,  my  sister  Thamsin,  and  my  cousin  Joseph 
Russell,  the  two  latter  being  also  in  bad  health.  We  trav- 
eled in  our  carriage,  and  had  a  saddle  horse  with  us  for 
my  use. 

This  journey  through  the  mountainous  region  of  Vir- 
ginia, along  the  Kanawha,  and  returning  through  Ohio 
by  the  Cumberland  route,  was  very  interesting,  and  to- 
gether with  the  healing  virtues  of  the  Red  Sulphur  Springs, 
did  much  to  restore  my  health. 

In  the  same  year  I  removed  to  Occoquan,  where  our 
cotton  factory  was  situated,  sixteen  miles  south  of  Alexan- 
dria. The  nearest  Friends'  meeting  was  in  Alexandria, 
which  I  attended  pretty  regularly  once  a  week,  and  some- 
times twice,  going  mostly  on  horseback,  but  occasionally 
(37) 


38  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

taking  my  family  with  me.  Those  frequent  rides  on  horse- 
back, continued  for  about  nine  years,  contributed  greatly 
to  the  restoration  of  my  health  ;  and  being  prompted  by 
a  sense  of  religious  duty,  were  blessed  in  the  promotion  of 
my  spiritual  welfare.  I  often  recur,  in  memory,  to  those 
solitary  rides  as  seasons  of  religious  instruction,  when  I  was 
permitted  to  hold  sweet  communion  with  the  Father  of 
spirits. 

At  that  time  I  was  not  fully  settled  in  my  views  respect- 
ing some  of  the  doctrines  professed  by  Friends,  and  while 
attending  diligently  the  meetings  for  worship,  I  took  no 
active  part  in  meetings  for  discipline. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year  1830,  Daniel  Quinby,  a  min- 
ister from  western  New  York,  came  to  our  house,  and  held 
a  meeting  in  our  village,  during  which  I  was  deeply  im- 
pressed with  a  sense  of  the  love  of  God,  and  my  spiritual 
vision  was  opened  to  discern  more  clearly  the  truths  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ.  Daniel  was  then  an  old  man,  and  though 
provided  with  a  minute  of  concurrence  from  his  Monthly 
Meeting,  he  was  traveling  alone,  with  a  prospect  of  going 
through  the  Southern  States  to  New  Orleans.  I  felt  much 
unity  with  him,  and  thought  it  my  duty  to  go  with  him, 
for  a  few  days,  on  his  journey.  He  traveled  in  a  vehicle 
called  a  sulky,  and  I  went  on  horseback. 

We  had  a  meeting  for  worship  at  Dumfries,  in  which 
Daniel  was  favored  to  preach  the  gospel  with  acceptance. 
The  Methodist  minister  residing  there  gave  us  a  letter  of 
introduction  to  a  widow  named  Suttle,  at  Stafford  court- 
house, which  on  our  arrival  we  delivered  to  her,  and  were 
heartily  welcomed,  and  invited  to  stay  at  her  house.  She 
said,  "  I  have  been  expecting  you ;  for  it  was  made  known 
to  me  this  morning,  while  I  knelt  in  prayer,  that  we  should 
have  a  great  meeting  here  to-day. ' ' 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  39 

It  was  First-day  morning,  and  she  immediately  took 
measures  to  have  a  meeting  appointed  in  the  court-house, 
and  general  information  given.  The  meeting  was  held  in 
the  afternoon,  and  I  thought  Daniel  was  highly  favored  in 
the  exercise  of  his  gift.  It  was  a  solemn  and  impressive 
opportunity.  Our  hospitable  hostess  gave  us,  in  conversa- 
tion, some  account  of  her  religious  experience.  She  said 
she  was  for  a  considerable  time  in  deep  distress,  feeling  the 
need  of  spiritual  comfort,  and  finding  no  one  able  to  help 
her.  One  day,  as  she  stood  in  her  porch,  which  fronted 
on  the  public  road,  she  saw  a  man  on  horseback  approach- 
ing, and  it  was  impressed  upon  her  mind  that  she  must 
speak  to  him.  When  he  came  near,  she  accosted  him 
thus: 

"  How  are  you,  sir?     Which  way  are  you  going?" 

He  answered,  "I  am  going  to  and  fro  in  the  earth." 

u  What  is  your  business?" 

"  My  business  is  to  warn  sinners  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come." 

"  Come  in,  sir,"  she  said. 

And  when  he  entered,  she  found  it  was  Bishop  Asbury, 
of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  was  instrumental  in  direct- 
ing her  to  rely  upon  Him  who  is  "the  Way,  the  Truth, 
and  the  Life,"  and  she  found  peace  in  taking  up  the  cross. 

We  continued  our  journey,  and  came  to  Fredericksburg, 
where  we  had,  in  the  Methodist  meeting-house,  a  very  sat- 
isfactory meeting.  The  minister  in  charge  requested  Dan- 
iel to  stay  and  hold  another  meeting,  but  he  felt  most  easy 
to  proceed  on  his  way. 

At  Richmond  and  Petersburg  we  attended  meetings,  in 
which  Daniel  was  favored  to  speak  to  edification  and  com- 
fort. He  then  went  on  board  a  steamboat  bound  for  Nor- 
folk and  Alexandria.    I  accompanied  him  on  board,  taking 


40  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

my  horse  with  me.  The  captain  handed  me  letters  from 
home,  bringing  the  sad  intelligence  that  my  little  daughter 
Ellen,  aged  about  two  years,  had,  during  my  absence, 
died  of  the  croup.  I  left  Daniel  at  Norfolk,  and  proceeded 
homeward  to  join  my  afflicted  family  without  delay. 

This  journey  was  attended  with  salutary  effects,  in  re- 
moving doubts  from  my  mind,  and  giving  me  clearer 
views  of  the  Christian  religion,  as  a  manifestation  of  Di- 
vine life  and  love  brought  forth  in  the  soul,  through  faith, 
obedience  and  patience. 

In  the  autumn  of  1831,  I  had  a  conversation  with  an 
intelligent  woman,  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  in 
which  I  was  led  to  speak  in  defence  of  the  doctrines  and 
testimonies  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  soon  after  I 
wrote  her  a  letter,  explanatory  of  the  same.  This  "  Letter 
on  Christian  Doctrine"  was  soon  after  published,  in  pam- 
phlet form,  by  my  uncle  Phineas  Janney,  being  my  first 
appearance  in  print  as  an  advocate  of  religious  truth. 

I  think  it  was  in  the  year  1832,  being  the  year  the  chol- 
era prevailed  in  this  country,  that  I  was  constrained,  by  a 
sense  of  duty,  to  express  in  Friends'  meeting  at  Alexan- 
dria, on  First-day,  a  few  words  in  gospel  ministry.  I  be- 
gan by  citing  the  text,  "  The  Lord  is  in  his  holy  temple; 
let  all  the  earth  keep  silence  before  him;"  and  I  pro- 
ceeded to  show  that  the  human  soul  is  the  temple  of  God. 
"  If  any  man  defile  God's  temple,  him  will  God  destroy." 
I  found  peace  of  mind  in  the  performance  of  this  small 
service,  and  was  overcome  with  deep  emotion.  Soon  after 
meeting,  my  father  spoke  to  me  encouragingly,  and  had 
reason  to  believe  that  the  elders  of  the  meeting  were  sat- 
isfied. My  offerings  in  the  line  of  the  ministry  were  gen- 
erally very  brief;  but  as  I  grew  in  experience,  the  gift  was 
enlarged,  and  in  due  time  my  ministry  was  acknowledged 
by  the  Monthly  Meeting. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  AT.  Janney.  41 

I  remember  the  counsel  of  a  worthy  elder,  John  Williams, 
of  Waterford,  to  this  effect :  "  Begin  with,  keep  with,  and 
quit  with  the  life."  I  have  always  endeavored  to  follow 
til  is  advice,  very  seldom,  if  ever,  rising  to  speak  in  meeting 
for  worship  without  a  fervent  silent  prayer  for  Divine  aid  ; 
and  I  have  generally  been  careful  not  to  extend  my  com- 
munications so  as  to  be  burdensome  to  the  hearers.  Some- 
times I  have  had  the  subject  spread  out  before  me  in  ad- 
vance of  my  rising  to  speak,  which  enabled  me  to  deliver 
a  connected  discourse ;  at  other  times  only  a  few  words  or 
a  Scripture  text  have  been  impressed  on  my  mind,  with 
such  clearness  as  to  require  expression,  and  when  I  stood 
up  to  speak,  more  would  be  given.  In  rightly  authorized 
ministry,  I  think  the  ideas  or  emotions  to  be  expressed  are 
from  impressions  made  on  the  mind  by  Divine  grace;  the 
language  or  garb  in  which  they  are  clothed  may  be  attrib- 
uted to  the  speaker,  and  will  depend  much  on  his  natural 
or  acquired  endowments.  The  effort  of  a  gospel  minister 
should  be,  while  waiting  on  God  in  a  religious  meeting,  to 
withdraw  his  thoughts  from  all  worldly  concerns,  watching 
unto  prayer;  and  when  his  mind  is  impressed  with  a  sub- 
ject and  moved  to  speak,  he  should  wait  until  he  feels  that 
it  is  the  right  time ;  then  he  should  express  what  he  has  to 
say  in  simplicity  of  language,  adapted  to  the  comprehen- 
sion of  all,  seeking  no  ornament  of  style,  going  directly  to 
the  point,  and  relying  not  on  his  own  powers  of  persua- 
sion, but  on  the  gift  of  God,  the  witness  for  truth  in  the 
hearts  of  the  audience. 

During  the  latter  part  of  my  residence  at  Occoquan,  the 
Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  at  Alexandria,  at  my  request, 
granted  us  the  privilege  of  holding  a  meeting  for  worship 
in  our  village  once  a  month,  and  appointed  a  committee 


42  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

to  sit  with  us.  These  meetings  were  attended  by  our  neigh- 
bors generally,  and  were  mostly  seasons  of  Divine  favor. 

In  the  12th  month,  1833,  I  wrote  to  my  friends  Philip 
E.  Thomas  and  Benjamin  P.  Moore,  of  Baltimore,  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"My  mind  has  been  impressed  for  some  time  with  a 
belief  that  it  would  be  right  to  make  more  generally  known, 
through  the  medium  of  the  press,  the  religious  sentiments 
entertained  by  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  especially  those 
views  that  have  an  immediate  bearing  upon  the  practical 
duties  of  life.  I  believe  they  are  founded  upon  the  im- 
mutable basis  of  truth,  and  that  they  will  ultimately  pre- 
vail, when  they  become  more  generally  understood.  But 
I  have  felt  the  importance  and  delicacy  of  the  task  of 
writing  the  views  entertained  by  a  numerous  body  of  peo- 
ple, especially  when  I  consider  that  there  may  be  a  diver- 
sity of  sentiment  among  us  on  some  points,  without  impair- 
ing the  harmony  and  love  which  I  trust  generally  prevail. 
Therefore  I  have  concluded  not  to  attempt  to  state  any 
views  as  those  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  but  to  write 
them  in  my  own  name,  and  if  they  should  meet  the  appro- 
bation of  my  friends,  to  let  them  be  published,  and  hold 
myself  alone  responsible  for  their  correctness." 

"Accordingly  I  wrote  the  two  numbers  now  before 
the  meeting,  and  after  submitting  them  to  several  judicious 
friends  in  Alexandria  and  Baltimore,  I  was  advised  to  offer 
them  to  John  Comly,  of  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting,  for 
his  "  Miscellany,"  which  I  did.  He  examined  them,  and 
advised  their  being  published,  but  as  they  did  not  come 
within  the  plan  of  his  work,  he  laid  them  before  the  book 
committee  of  their  Representative  Committee,  by  whom 
they  were  also  approved  ;  but  they  thought  best  to  pub- 
lish them  with  the  name  of  the  author,  and  they  did  not 


Memoirs  of  Samaet  M.  Janney.  43 

feel  at  liberty  to  do  so  without  the  consent  of  our  Meeting 
for  Sufferings,  as  I  am  a  member  of  Baltimore  Yearly- 
Meeting." 

"I  have  therefore  concluded  to  lay  them  before  that  meet- 
ing, and  to  ask  leave  to  have  them  published,  not  wishing 
to  throw  any  responsibility  or  expense  upon  the  meeting; 
but  if  Friends  are  willing,  I  will  take  all  the  responsibility 
on  myself.  I  have  other  matter  in  view,  Which  I  am  wil- 
ling to  have  published  in  the  same  way,  and  some  of  my 
friends  encourage  me  to  proceed,  believing  that  a  spirit  of 
inquiry  in  regard  to  these  subjects  now  prevails  in  many 
places,  which  renders  the  present  time  peculiarly  favorable 
for  gaining  the  public  attention.  If  the  meeting  should 
think  best,  under  these  circumstances,  to  appoint  or  con- 
tinue a  committee  to  examine  the  next  number,  which  is 
nearly  ready,  I  will  submit  it  to  them  for  examination.  I 
do  not  wish  to  publish,  even  my  own  sentiments  on  these 
important  subjects,  without  consulting  some  judicious 
friends." 

I  remain  your  affectionate  friend, 

Samuel  M.  Janney." 

The  work  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  letter  bears  the 
title  of  "Conversations  on  Religious  Subjects  between  a 
Father  and  nis  two  Sons."  The  Meeting  for  Sufferings 
(now  called  the  Representative  Committee)  of  Baltimore 
Yearly  Meeting,  found  no  fault  with  that  part  of  the  work 
submitted  to  it,  but  declined  to  advise  its  publication ; 
nor  did  it  interpose  any  objection  to  its  being  published 
by  others. 

When  John  Comly  was  informed  of  this  result,  he  laid 
the  subject  before  the  Representative  Committee  of  Phila- 
delphia Yearly  Meeting,  and  I  was  invited  to  sit  with  the 


44  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Book  Committee  during  their  examination  of  the  work. 
The  committee  was  composed  of  remarkably  intelligent, 
thoughtful  men,  and  I  well  remember  how  deeply  inter- 
esting were  some  of  the  discussions  that  took  place  on 
*  various  points  of  Christian  doctrine.  Very  little  change 
was  made  in  the  manuscript,  and  none  but  such  as  I  was* 
perfectly  willing  to  adopt. 

The  work  was  published  in  Philadelphia  in  the  year 
1835,  and  so  far  as  I  was  informed,  gave  general  satisfac- 
tion to  the  members  of  our  Religious  Society.  When  the 
first  edition  was  exhausted,  a  second  was  published  by  T. 
E.  Chapman,  a  third  by  John  Comly,  and  a  fourth  by  T. 
E.  Zell,  who  caused  the  work  to  be  stereotyped. 

In  the  nth  month,  1833,  my  friend  George  Truman,  of 
Philadelphia,  a  minister  highly  esteemed,  was  engaged  in 
a  religious  visit  to  the  meetings  of  Friends  within  the  lim- 
its of  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  join 
him  in  the  service.  While  thus  engaged,  I  wrote  to  my 
wife  as  follows  : — 

"Our  dear  friend  George  has,  I  think,  been  highly 
favored  in  his  religious  services,  and  so  far  as  I  know,  has 
given  general  satisfaction.  I  have  sometimes  felt  it  my 
duty  to  bear  testimony  to  the  Truth  in  a  few  words,  which 
has  been  attended  with  the  sweet  reward  of  peace  to  my 
own  mind.  The  first  meeting  we  attended  together  since 
we  left  Alexandria,  I  had  a  subject  opened  to  my  mind,  in 
the  early  part  of  the  meeting,  which  appeared  to  be  in- 
tended for  the  instruction  of  the  meeting,  but  I  knew  the 
expectations  of  the  people  were  fixed  upon  George,  and  I 
endeavored  to  get  rid  of  it  and  reason  it  away,  but  it  still 
remained  with  me,  till  I  was  obliged  to  rise  and  express 
it.  He  then  took  up  the  same  subject,  and  carried  it  out 
very  satisfactorily.     After  meeting,  he  told  me  not  to  hold 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  45 

back  any  more,  but  attend  to  my  own  business,  for  he 
knew  it  was  my  duty  to  open  the  subject,  and  he  could  not 
proceed  until  I  attended  to  my  concern.  Since  then  our 
minds  have  been  baptized  into  sympathy  through  every 
meeting,  and  so  frequently  introduced  into  the  same  feel- 
ings and  views,  that  I  cannot  but  admire  the  leadings  and 
teachings  of  the  Shepherd  of  Israel." 

In  the  3d  month,  1834,  I  joined  my  friend  George  Tru- 
man in  a  religious  visit  to  the  families  of  Friends  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore.     In  a  letter  to  my  wife  I  said  : — 

"  We  have  visited  a  great  many  families,  generally  about 
sixteen  or  seventeen  a  day,  and  have  mostly  been  favored 
to  feel  that  the  Master's  love  was  with  us.  Some  seasons 
of  deep  baptizing  have  been  witnessed,  and  in  a  great 
many  instances,  almost  every  one  present  has  been  broken, 
into  tenderness.  Last  night  we  visited  two  families  at  their 
own  request,  in  which  there  were  no  members  of  our  own 
Society ;  and  in  many  cases  we  have  visited  large  families 
where  there  were  but  one  or  two  of  our  members ;  but  all 
seemed  to  participate  in  the  feeling  of  life  and  tenderness 
of  spirit.  I  never  knew  one  more  completely  dedi- 
cated to  the  service  of  God  than  our  friend  George,  and 
the  feeling  of  Divine  love  that  covers  his  mind  seems  to 
be  felt  by  many,  and  I  trust  it  will  spread  until  the  whole 
family  and  "  household  of  faith"  may  be  baptized  together 
by  one  spirit  into  one  body.  There  are  many  young  per- 
sons here  with  whom  I  deeply  sympathize,  and  hope  they 
will  submit  to  the  forming  hand  of  our  Heavenly  Father, 
who  is  preparing  them  for  vessels  in  his  house.  It  seems 
to  be  our  place  to  hold  out  the  hand  of  encouragement  to 
such, — to  counsel  them  to  give  up  in  entire  dedication  to 
the  service  of  God,  who  requires  of  us  the  first  fruits  of  all 
we  possess,  and  the  entire  surrender  of  our  wills  to  His 


46  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

will.  This  is  the  only  way  to  attain  true  peace  of  mind, 
for  the  yoke  is  made  easy  and  the  burden  light  to  those 
who  are  entirely  devoted  to  the  service  of  God." 

In  the  spring  of  1835  I  went  to  meet  a  committee  of 
Friends  at  Dunnings'  Creek,  Bedford  county,  Pa.,  under 
an  appointment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Baltimore,  to 
attend  the  opening  of  a  new  Quarterly  Meeting  called 
Centre.  As  I  had  a  prospect  of  appointing  some  meetings, 
I  took  a  minute  of  concurrence  from  Alexandria  Monthly 
Meeting,  and  had  the  very  acceptable  company  of  my 
friend  William  Stabler  as  companion.  We  went  on  horse- 
back, and  attended  eleven  meetings  for  worship  on  our 
way  through  the  counties  of  Loudon  and  Frederick,  in 
Virginia.  I  was  then  young  and  inexperienced  in  the 
ministry,  and  was  often  brought  under  deep  exercise,  from 
a  sense  of  my  insufficiency  for  so  great  a  work ;  but  my 
gracious  Master  who  putteth  forth  his  own  sheep  and 
goeth  before  them,  was  pleased  to  help  me,  so  that  most  of 
the  meetings  were  favored  with  life  and  solemnity.  In 
one  of  them  William  Stabler  spoke  a  few  words  in 
gospel  ministry,  which  were  accompanied  with  deep  feel- 
ing, both  in  himself  and  others  who  heard  them.  This,  I 
think,  was  the  beginning  of  his  public  ministry. 

After  we  crossed  the  Potomac,  on  our  way  to  Bedford, 
we  came  to  a  village  called  Clear  Spring.  As  we  rode 
through  it,  I  felt  an  impression  that  it  would  be  right  to 
stop  and  see  if  we  could  have  a  meeting  there.  Being 
strangers,  we  called  at  a  store  to  make  inquiry,  and  there 
found  a  venerable  man,  with  a  long  white  beard,  whose 
mild  countenance  interested  me  very  much.  As  soon  as 
we  mentioned  the  subject,  he  appeared  to  take  an  interest 
in  it,  and  the  storekeeper  likewise. 

They  both  agreed  that  it  could  not  be  held  till  even- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  47 

tag,  on  account  of  an  auction,  which  would  claim  the 
attention  of  the  people  nearly  all  day.  The  storekeeper 
volunteered  to  give  notice  at  the  auction,  and  to  obtain  a 
place  for  us  to  meet  in.  The  old  man,  whose  name  was 
Myers,  sent  our  horses  to  a  tavern,  and  asked  us  to  his 
house.  His  family  being  from  home,  he  said  he  could  not 
entertain  us,  but  wished  to  pay  for  us  at  the  tavern,  which 
we  declined.  He  was  a  member  of  the  society  of  Chris- 
tian Brethren  called  Tunkers,  and  we  were  much  interested 
in  his  conversation  on  religious  subjects.  They  agree  with 
us  in  bearing  a  testimony  against  war,  oaths,  slavery,  and 
a  stipendiary  ministry.  He  was  a  minister  among  them, 
and  supported  himself.  The  Lutheran  meeting-house  was 
procured,  and  a  large  company  of  men  assembled,  but  very 
few  women.  Brother  Myers  sat  with  us  on  a  bench  under 
the  pulpit,  not  being  willing  to  go  into  it,  which  was  agree- 
able to  my  feelings,  as  it  was  too  much  decorated  for  us. 
We  had  a  very  satisfactory  meeting,  and  the  people  were 
attentive.  We  proceeded  on  our  journey  to  Dunnings' 
Creek,  twelve  miles  beyond  Bedford,  and  the  new  Quar- 
terly Meeting  was  opened,  a  committee  of  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing being  in  attendance.  It  was  a  season  of  religious  in- 
struction and  spiritual  enjoyment. 

In  the  5th  month,  1839,  with  my  friend  Benjamin 
Hallowell  as  companion,  I  attended  New  York  Yearly 
Meeting.  From  letters  addressed  to  my  wife,  I  select 
the  following  passages  : — 

"On  First-day  morning  I  went  to  Rose  street  meeting, 
where  there  was  a  great  concourse  of  people,  probably 
two  thousand.  After  the  meeting  became  settled,  I  felt  a 
qualification  for  service  among  them,  and  an  opening  on 
the  subject  of  the  straight  gate  and  the  narrow  way,  that 
leads  unto  life,  which  I  was  enabled  to  unfold  to  the  satis- 


48  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

faction  and  peace  of  my  own  mind,  and  the  meeting  was 
brought  into  a  good  degree  of  solemnity.  George  Tru- 
man followed,  and  carried  out  the  same  views  in  a  very 
interesting  manner,  which  he  said  had  impressed  his  mind 
before  I  rose.  A  woman  Friend  appeared  in  supplication, 
and  the  meeting  closed  under  a  covering  of  Divine  favor. 

"  In  the  afternoon  I  attended  Hester  Street  meeting — 
George  Truman  was  also  there  and  the  meeting  was  very 
large,  I  thought  I  was  again  qualified  for  service  and  the 
subject  of  the  feeding  of  the  multitude  by  the  Divine  Mas- 
ter when  the  few  loaves  and  fishes  were  blessed  and  broken 
by  him,  and  distributed  by  the  disciples,  was  brought  be- 
fore my  mind  in  a  lively  manner,  and  appeared  a  striking 
figure  of  the  way  in  which  spiritual  food  ought  to  be  re- 
ceived and  distributed  through  the  instrumentality  of  a 
christian  ministry  deriving  its  qualification  from  the  head 
of  the  church  and  looking  to  Him  for  support.  But  alas  ! 
I  was  not  sufficiently  watchful  or  humble  in  the  per- 
formance of  this  service,  and  after  proceeding  a  while  the 
life  of  the  concern  seemed  to  pass  away  and  I  labored 
without  that  support  which  is  essential  to  enable  us  to  do 
any  good  in  His  cause.  I  drew  to  a  conclusion  without 
my  mind  being  relieved  and  sat  down  under  a  cloud  of 
discouragement,  fearing  that  I  had  injured  the  cause  and 
given  pain  to  Friends.  After  another  Friend  had  spoken 
George  Truman  took  up  the  same  subject  which  I  had  be- 
gun, and  he  was  enabled  to  treat  it  in  such  a  way  as 
relieved  me  in  some  measure  and  brought  a  good  degree 
of  solemnity  over  the  meeting.  I  left  the  meeting  in  much 
distress  and  abasement  of  mind,  but  my  kind  friend  Ben- 
jamin Hallowed  told  me  I  had  said  nothing  which  was  in- 
correct or  likely  to  do  any  harm,  although  he  was  sensible 
at  the  time  that  I  was  not  getting  on  to  satisfaction,  and 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  49 

he  sympathized  with  me  on  the  occasion.  He  said  I  was 
remarkably  favored  in  the  morning,  and  that  I  must  expect 
such  trying  seasons  which  might  perhaps  be  made  the 
means  of  bringing  me  into  that  humble  dependence  upon 
God  which  is  the  most  important  qualification  for  service 
in  the  church." 

"  Last  night  I  attended  a  large  meeting  of  the  committee 
on  Indian  concerns,  and  was  glad  to  find  that  Friends  here 
are  deeply  interested  for  that  injured  people  and  about  to 
engage  in  labors  for  their  relief  and  improvement. 

5th  mo.  39th.  "  The  yearly  meeting  has  been  conducted 
Tvith  great  propriety  and  good  feeling.  One  of  the  changes 
of  discipline  adopted  is  to  allow  women  the  same  pri- 
vileges as  men  in  receiving  and  disowning  members  of 
their  own  sex,  and  to  allow  them  a  joint  action  in  the  for- 
mation of  discipline. 

I  think  it  a  good  change,  for  women  are  as  capable  of 
transacting  church  business  as  men,  and  by  allowing  them 
the  privilege  it  will  increase  their  usefulness." 


CHAPTER    VI. 

Publishes  a  volume  of  Poems — Business  at  Occoquan  proves  un- 
successful— Removes  to  Loudon  Co.,  Va.,  where  he  opens  a 
Boarding  School. 

1839. 

In  the  year  1839  I  published  a  volume  of  poems,  some 
of  which  had  previously  appeared  in  the  New  York  Mirror. 
I  was  encouraged  by  my  friends  to  believe  that  they  had 
sufficient  literary  merit  to  win  popular  favor,  and  the  edi- 
tion of  one  thousand  copies  was  disposed  of  readily,  but 
there  seemed  to  be  no  demand  for  another  edition.    Some 


50  Memoirs  of  Sarmtel  M.  Janney. 

years  later  I  wrote  and  published  a  few  other  poems,  but 
gradually  my  taste  for  poetry  declined  and  I  came  to  the 
conclusion  that  I  should  succeed  better  in  prose,  which 
proved  to  be  the  case,  as  will  be  hereafter  related. 

My  business  as  a  cotton  manufacturer  at  Occoquan 
proved  to  be  unsuccessful.  When  my  partner  and  I  en- 
tered into  it  we  thought  we  had  sufficient  capital  to  build 
the  factory,  but  the  cost  being  greater  than  we  expected  we 
had  to  go  in  debt  to  a  considerable  amount.  In  addition 
to  this  disadvantage  we  had  no  knowledge  of  the  busi- 
ness and  consequently  were  dependent  upon  our  employes 
concerning  whose  qualifications  we  were  not  competent  to 
judge.  Without  entering  into  a  detailed  account  of  our  em- 
barrassments and  struggles,  it  may  be  sufficient  to  say,  that 
all  our  efforts  to  meet  our  engagements  having  proved  in- 
effectual, I  concluded  to  leave  Occoquan  and  remove  to 
Loudon  County  in  the  year  1839  with  the  prospect  of 
opening  a  boarding  school  for  girls.  I  brought  with  me 
nothing  but  my  household  furniture,  and  the  sum  of  four- 
teen hundred  and  fifty  dollars  belonging  to  my  wife,  being 
the  proceeds  of  a  farm  derived  from  her  father's  estate  and 
secured  to  her  by  marriage  contract,  duly  recorded. 

This  money  I  invested  for  my  wife,  in  a  lot,  and  in 
building  a  house  for  the  boarding  school  which  we  called 
Springdale.  I  obtained  the  assistance  of  an  experienced 
and  competent  female  teacher ;  our  school  was  opened 
with  favorable  prospects,  and  soon  became  popular  and 
moderately  profitable. 

It  was  a  great  relief  to  escape  from  the  care  and  turmoil 
of  uncongenial  and  unsuccessful  business,  and  to  be  en- 
gaged in  the  instruction  of  youth,  an  employment  that 
suited  my  taste  and  brought  the  reward  of  peace. 

I  was  however  still  burdened  with  debts  incurred  while 
engaged  with  the  manufacturing  concern,  and  which  I  was 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  5 1 

determined  to  pay  as  fast  as  my  means  would  allow.  In 
order  that  I  might  not  err  in  judgment,  I  laid  before  the 
overseers  of  our  meeting  and  a  few  other  Friends,  a  state- 
ment of  my  affairs,  and  asked  their  advice.  They  approved 
of  the  course  I  was  then  pursuing  in  appropriating  my 
earnings  to  the  payment  of  debts,  and  I  was  encouraged  by 
their  approbation.  In  the  course  of  about  twenty  years  I 
paid  old  debts  to  the  amount  of  fourteen  thousand  dollars, 
which  I  was  enabled  to  accomplish — by  the  profits  derived 
from  commissions  on  several  estates  which  I  settled  as 
executor, — by  the  proceeds  of  my  literary  labors, — by  the 
rents  of  my  wife's  estate,  and  by  the  profits  of  the  school. 

In  all  those  years  of  financial  embarrassment  and  earnest 
effort  to  retrieve  my  affairs,  I  had  the  hearty  sympathy  and 
effective  aid  of  my  wife,  who  generously  allowed  the  in- 
come from  her  paternal  inheritance  to  be  appropriated  to 
the  payment  of  my  debts. 

I  feel  thankful  to  the  Author  of  all  good  that  through 
His  providential  care  and  guidance  I  have  been  enabled  so 
to  live  as  to  secure  the  approbation  and  confidence  of  my 
friends.  I  have  observed  that  nearly  all  persons  who  are 
unsuccessful  in  business  and  involved  in  debt  beyond  their 
ability  to  pay,  make  mistakes  and  incur  censure.  I  have 
doubtless  erred  in  judgment  many  times,  but  have  endea- 
vored to  do  right,  and  am  desirous  to  make  amends  as  far 
as  possible  for  any  damage  I  have  caused.  I  acknowledge 
that  had  I  attended  closely  to  the  excllent  advice  in  the 
Book  of  Discipline  of  our  Religious  Society,  I  should 
probably  have  been  preserved  from  the  accumulation  of 
debts  beyond  my  ability  to  pay,  and  thus  saved  from  the 
sorrow  and  humiliation  that  attended  me  many  years. 
The  great  object  of  this  life  being  to  discipline  the  mind 
and  purify  the  heart,  it  is  often  so  ordered  by  Divine  Pro- 


52  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Jamiey. 

vidence  that  trials  and  sorrows  attend  us  here  in  order  to 
wean  us  from  the  world,  and  fix  our  affections  on  Heavenly 
things. 

CHAPTER    VII. 

He  travels  in  some  of  the  counties  of  Virginia,  on  a  religious  visit — 
Death  of  his  father. 

i84i-'42. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1841,  accompanied  by  my 
friend  Aquila  Mead,  I  traveled  in  the  counties  of  Fauquier, 
Culpepper,  Orange,  Albemarle,  and  Augusta,  in  Virginia,  in 
order  to  hold  religious  meetings  and  proclaim  the  gospel 
of  Christ,  as  far  as  ability  might  be  afforded. 

At  Warrenton  I  proposed  to  have  a  meeting  in  the 
court-house,  but  the  citizens  expressing  a  desire  for  me  to 
occupy  the  meeting-house,  I  concluded  to  do  so,  and  notice 
was  given  at  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  meetings,  in 
the  forenoon.  At  the  time  appointed  a  large  congregation 
assembled,  but  not  being  accustomed  to  our  mode  of  wor- 
ship, they  were  at  first  rather  restless.  After  a  time  of  wait- 
ing upon  God,  I  felt  ability  to  labor  among  them,  and  en- 
deavor to  call  their  attention,  in  the  first  place,  to  the 
omnipresence  of  the  Deity,  citing  that  sublime  passage 
from  Psalm  lxxxix.  7:  "Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy 
spirit,"  &c,  showing  that  he  is  always  present  with  us, 
though  not  always  felt  to  be  so ;  I  then  appealed  to  the 
wonders  of  his  power,  wisdom  and  goodness  displayed  in 
the  works  of  creation,  but  observed  that  all  these  evidences 
of  his  power  can  never  convert  and  purify  the  soul ;  for 
this,  we  want  something  more  searching  and  more  inti- 
mately present  with  us,  and  this  we  have  granted  to  us  in 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  53 

the  word  of  his  grace,  which  is  like  a  "  two-edged  sword, 
piercing  even  to  the  dividing  asunder  of  soul  and  spirit,  of 
the  joints  and  marrow,  and  is  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts 
and  intents  of  the  heart."  During  the  latter  part  of  the 
meeting  much  solemnity  prevailed,  and  I  trust  a  devo- 
tional spirit  was  felt  by  many.  The  Presbyterian  min- 
ister was  present,  and  invited  us  to  attend  a  meeting 
he  had  appointed  for  the  colored  people,  to  be  held  at 
that  house  in  the  evening.  We  felt  it  right  to  go,  as  he 
left  us  at  liberty  to  speak,  in  case  anything  should  offer  for 
their  edification.  The  meeting  was  well  attended  by  the 
colored  people,  who  behaved  in  a  becoming  manner.  The 
minister  went  through  his  usual  course  of  singing,  preach- 
ing and  praying,  and  also  called  upon  a  Baptist  to  pray, 
who  immediately  complied.  Being  informed  that  I  was  at 
liberty  to  offer  anything  I  had  to  say,  and  having  felt  my 
mind  exercised  for  the  good  of  the  people,  I  waited  awhile 
in  silence,  and  then,  as  I  felt  authorized,  rose  and  offered 
some  views  for  their  consideration,  which  were  of  a  prac- 
tical nature,  and  couched  in  as  plain  language  as  I  could 
command.  A  good  degree  of  solemnity  was  felt,  and  I 
was  well  satisfied  that  I  had  been  there. 

At  Culpepper  Court-House  we  had  a  meeting,  which 
was  satisfactory  to  us,  and  although  much  pressed  by  the 
people  to  stay  and  hold  another  meeting,  we  concluded  to 
proceed  onward. 

In  Madison  Court-House  we  had  an  evening  meeting, 
which  the  citizens  generally  attended,  many  of  them  bring- 
ing their  chairs  and  lights  with  them.  It  proved  to  be  a 
precious  season  of  Divine  favor.  I  began  by  observing 
that  since  we  had  been  traveling  through  these  parts,  the 
main  subject  of  conversation  among  all  the  people  seemed 
to  be  the  approaching  election,  which  appeared  to  engross 


54  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

their  whole  attention  ;  but  I  found  it  my  duty  to  proclaim 
among  them  an  election  of  far  more  importance,  in  which 
they  might  themselves  all  become  candidates  for  immor- 
tality. The  books  are  now  opened  in  which  we  are  per- 
mitted to  inscribe  our  names  as  candidates  for  a  station 
among  the  sons  and  daughters  of  God.  But  in  order  to 
obtain  this  high  honor,  we  must  comply  with  the  condi- 
tions of  the  law  prescribed  for  our  government.  One  of 
these  conditions  is  that  we  must  deny  ourselves,  take 
up  our  daily  cross  and  follow  Christ.  This  cross  is  the 
power  of  God  operating  on  the  soul,  by  which  we  may 
become  crucified  to  the  world  and  the  world  unto  us.  As 
we  follow  Christ  in  the  regeneration,  we  shall  become 
united  to  him  and  be  members  of  his  body,  of  his  flesh 
and  his  bones,  and  constitute  a  part  of  that  church  of  which 
Jesus  Christ  is  the  Head.  We  shall  by  this  means  make 
our  calling  and  election  sure,  for  the  promise  of  election 
is  unto  the  seed.  "It  is  not  unto  seeds  as  of  many,  but 
unto  thy  seed,  which  is  Christ;"  therefore  as  many  as  are 
united  to  Christ  by  being  born  again  of  the  spirit,  are 
elect  and  precious,  and  will  obtain  an  inheritance  with  the 
saints  in  light. 

There  was  deep  feeling  manifested  by  some  present,  and 
the  meeting  ended  well. 

Next  morning,  while  preparing  to  start  on  our  way, 
we  were  informed  that  many  of  the  inhabitants  wished  us 
to  stay  and  appoint  another  meeting,  but  we  felt  most  easy 
to  proceed,  believing  that  our  service  was  accomplished 
among  them. 

At  this  place  we  became  acquainted  with  James  Carson, 
w.o  had  been  many  years  a  presiding  elder  among  die 
Methodists.  He  expressed  entire  unity  with  us,  and  gave 
us  a  list  of  his  friends  in  several  places  whither  we  were 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  55 

going,  advising  us  to  call  on  them  and  say  that  he  wished 
them  to  assist  us  in  procuring  meetings.  We  found  after- 
wards that  his  influence  helped  to  open  the  way  for  us. 

At  Orange  Court-House  I  appointed  a  meeting,  in  which 
I  was  enabled  to  "labor  in  word  and  doctrine,"  but  al- 
though there  was  some  tenderness  manifested,  I  fear  it  was 
confined  to  a  few. 

At  Charlottesville  a  Methodist  minister  offered  us  the  use 
of  their  meeting-house,  although  they  intended  to  hold  a 
prayer-meeting  there  in  the  evening.  He  said  they  would 
give  that  up  for  the  sake  of  our  meeting.  I  appointed  one 
accordingly,  which  was  tolerably  well  attended,  and  among 
the  audience  were  some  of  the  students  of  the  University. 
After  a  time  of  silent  waiting,  I  found  some  ability  to  min- 
ister to  them  concerning  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
beginning  with  that  sublime  passage  of  Isaiah  when  he 
"saw  the  Lord  high  and  lifted  up  and  his  train  filled  the 
temple."  He  cried  "  Woe  is  me,  for  I  am  a  man  of  un- 
clean lips,  and  I  dwell  among  a  people  of  unclean  lips,  for 
mine  eyes  have  seen  the  King,  the  Lord  of  Hosts."  Then 
flew  an  angel,  and  taking  a  live  coal  from  the  altar,  touched 
his  lips  and  said,  "  Now  is  thy  iniquity  taken  away  and  thy 
sin  purged."  This  is  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and 
of  fire,  which  can  alone  purify  the  heart  from  all  defile- 
ment ;  the  same  baptism  that  Jesus  Christ  still  administers 
by  his  spiritual  appearance  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  are 
willing  to  receive  him  and  give  up  their  souls  without 
reserve  to  his  government.  The  influence  of  this  Spirit 
will  always  be  seen  in  the  good  fruits  produced,  for  it  will 
make  the  followers  of  Christ  as  lights  in  the  world,  as  "  a 
city  set  upon  a  hill,  that  cannot  be  hid."  The  Metho- 
dist minister  was  in  attendance,  and  offered  the  house  for 
another  meeting,  but  I  felt  no  authority  to  appoint  one  at 
that  time. 


56  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

At  Waynesville  we  had  a  crowded  meeting  in  the  Acad- 
emy. It  was  a  precious  season,  in  which  the  baptizing 
power  of  Divine  Truth  was  felt,  and  I  was  thankful  to  the 
Author  of  all  good. 

We  arrived  at  Staunton  on  Seventh-day  morning,  5  th 
mo.  1st,  and  it  being  a  time  of  military  parade,  we  could 
not  obtain  a  meeting  until  night.  It  was  held  in  the 
Methodist  meeting-house,  and  well  attended.  The  subject 
of  spiritual  worship  was  opened  to  them  briefly,  and  then 
the  nature  of  the  new  birth,  showing  that  it  proceeds  from 
the  dominion  of  God  being  established  in  the  soul,  by 
which  man  may  become  a  partaker  of  the  Divine  nature. 

I  did  not  feel  clear  of  the  place  without  further  labor, 
and  the  same  house  being  offered,  I  appointed  another 
meeting  to  be  held  on  First  day  at  11  o'clock. 

It  was  well  attended,  and  the  principal  subject  treated 
of  was  the  effect  of  the  gospel  dispensation,  when  fully 
submitted  to,  in  promoting  peace  on  earth  and  good  will 
to  men,  destroying  the  enmity  in  the  heart,  thereby  en- 
abling the  disciples  of  Christ  to  bear  a  testimony  against 
all  war  and  injustice,  and  all  oppression  of  our  fellow-men. 

On  First-day  afternoon  we  came  to  Port  Republic,  and 
held  a  meeting  there  at  night,  in  which  I  was  led  to  set 
forth  the  nature  of  the  new-covenant  dispensation ;  showing 
that  it  leads  out  of  all  strife  and  contention,  puts  an  end 
to  war  and  bloodshed,  and  when  fully  submitted  to,  ends 
in  Christian  perfection,  which  consists  in  entire  obedience 
to  the  law  of  God  as  manifested  in  the  soul. 

On  Second-day  morning  we  came  one  and  a  half  miles 
to  Weyer's  Cave,  and  spent  about  two  hours  in  viewing 
that  wonderful  display  of  Divine  power. 

We  then  traveled  fifteen  miles  to  Harrisonburg,  and  held 
a  meeting  at  night  in  the  Masonic  Hall,  which  was  crowded. 
It  proved  to  be  a  good  meeting,  being  favored  with  the 
overshadowing  wing  of  Divine  goodness. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  57 

We  held  one  meeting  in  a  school-house  at  Columbia 
Iron  Works,  and  one  in  a  private  house  at  Winchester,  after 
which  we  returned  to  our  homes  with  thankful  hearts. 

During  this  short  journey  I  passed  through  much  reli- 
gious exercise  and  sometimes  mental  suffering,  but  was 
amply  rewarded  with  peace  of  mind  in  the  assurance  of 
Divine  favor. 

In  the  summer  and  autumn  of  this  year  I  passed  through 
many  seasons  of  discouragement,  in  one  of  which  I  made 
the  following  memorandum,  dated  nth  mo.  21st,  1841 : — 

"To-day  I  went  to  meeting  in  much  gloom,  having  for 
sometime  past  suffered  great  anxiety  about  my  temporal 
affairs,  under  an  apprehension  that  I  may  not  be  able  to 
meet  my  engagements,  and  may  thus  bring  reproach  upon 
the  holy  cause  that  I  have  publicly  espoused.  Through 
the  adorable  mercy  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  I 
have  obtained  some  comfort  and  consolation,  and  am 
determined  to  trust  Him  to  the  end.  The  language  of  the 
blessed  Jesus  to  his  disciples  was  livingly  brought  before 
the  view  of  my  mind  :  '  If  ye  had  faith  as  a  grain  of  mus- 
tard seed,  ye  should  say  to  this  mountain,  be  thou  removed 
and  cast  into  the  sea,  and  it  should  be  done.'  He  gave 
me  faith  to  pray  for  the  removal  from  my  mind  of  the  bur- 
den of  care  that  oppressed  me,  and  it  was  so  removed  that 
my  thoughts  were  centered  upon  Him,  and  the  world  with 
all  its  concerns  was  shut  out  from  my  view.  The  language 
of  John  the  Baptist  was  then  brought  before  me:  'There 
standeth  one  among  you  the  latchet  of  whose  shoes  I  am 
not  worthy  to  stoop  down  and  unloose :  he  shall  baptize 
you  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire.'  Although,  like 
the  Baptist,  I  felt  myself  unworthy  to  be  his  servant  or 
minister,  I  was  enabled  to  bear  testimony  to  the  living 


58  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

presence  of  Him  who  is  always  with  us,  and  is  able  to 
baptize  us  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  if  we  are  only  willing  to 
submit  to  his  government." 

On  the  14th  of  the  1st  month,  1842,  my  father,  Abijah 
Janney,  departed  this  life,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age.  I 
went  to  his  funeral  in  Alexandria,  which  was  a  season 
of  deep  solemnity,  being  attended  by  a  large  number  of 
Friends  and  neighbors.  His  interment  was  on  the  first 
day  of  the  week,  and  in  the  meeting  for  worship  our 
friend  William  Stabler  spoke,  in  a  very  feeling  manner,  of 
the  loss  we  had  sustained,  and  expressed  his  sympathy. 

My  father  occupied  the  station  of  an  Elder  in  the  Soci- 
ety of  Friends,  and  was  universally  beloved  wherever  he 
was  known.  His  unblemished  character,  his  meekness 
and  patience,  his  benevolence  and  urbanity,  made  him  a 
welcome  visitor  in  every  family  of  his  acquaintance.  He 
expressed  his  entire  resignation  to  the  Divine  will,  and  not 
a  murmur  escaped  his  lips  during  his  illness.  I  felt  com- 
forted in  believing  that,  having  fought  the  good  fight  and 
kept  the  faith,  he  has  received  the  crown  of  righteousness 
which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  will  give  unto  all 
those  who  love  his  appearing. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Visits  some  meetings  within  the  limits  of  Indiana  Yearly  meeting — 
Endeavors  to  heal  dissensions  there — Writes  an  Epistle  to  Friends 
in  the  State  of  Ohio. 

1844- 

In  the  year  1844  I  visited  some  of  the  meetings  of 
Friends  in  Ohio,  belonging  to  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting. 
My  principal  concern  was  to  endeavor   to  heal  the  dissen- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  59 

sions  that  unhappily  prevailed,  and  which  had  caused  a 
separation  in  Green  Plain  Quarterly  Meeting.  The  anti- 
slavery  movement  and  agitation  gave  rise  to  dissension 
among  Friends,  in  consequence  of  some  members  being 
exceedingly  active  in  the  measures  pursued  by  the  Aboli- 
tionists ;  while  others,  more  conservative,  were  unwilling 
to  join  in  the  movement  and  were  opposed  to  their  meet- 
ing houses  being  opened  for  abolition  lectures.  The  con- 
servative members  were  sincerely  opposed  to  slavery  and 
usually  bore  their  testimony  against  it  in  a  quiet  way,  but 
they  generally  took  no  part  in  the  concealment  and 
transportation  to  Canada  of  fugitive  slaves,  very  many  of 
whom  passed  through  Ohio  and  were  helped  on  their  way 
by  the  Abolitionists. 

This  difference  of  sentiment  and  action  caused  some 
solicitude  for  several  years,  and  at  length  was  brought  to  a 
crisis  by  a  "  Disclaimer  "  or  protest  issued  by  some  of  the 
Abolition  Friends  against  certain  expressions,  condemning 
their  proceedings  uttered  by  a  ministering  Friend.  This 
Disclaimer,  being  considered  by  the  conservative  class  of 
Friends,  a  breach  of  the  good  order  prescribed  in  the  book 
of  Discipline,  the  Representative  committee  of  Indiana 
took  up  the  case,  and  forwarded  it  to  the  Yearly  Meeting. 
I  inquired  of  one  of  the  Friends  concerned  in  taking  up  the 
case,  whether  there  was  any  private  dealing  with  the  Dis- 
claimers before  their  case  was  taken  to  the  meeting.  He 
said,  that  he  and  another  Friend  went  to  Green  Plain  and 
saw  two  of  them  who  made  concessions,  but  he  thought 
something  of  a  more  public  nature  was  required.  There 
were  upwards  of  forty  Friends  who  signed  the  Dis- 
laimer. 

Indiana  Yearly  Meeting  appointed  a  committee  to  attend 
Green  Plain  Quarterly  Meeting  and  labor  for  its  help  and 


60  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

encouragement  in  the  truth.  Their  labors  were  unavailing, 
and  at  the  following  Yearly  Meeting  another  committee 
was  appointed  who  attended  several  of  the  subordinate 
meetings  and  endeavored  to  get  an  acknowledgement  from 
them,  but  without  success.  They  reported  to  the  next 
Yearly  Meeting  that  their  labors  were  unavailing.  The 
Yearly  Meeting  then  directed  that  Green  Plain  Quarterly 
Meeting  should  be  laid  down  and  the  members  attached  to 
Miami  Quarter;  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  carry 
this  decision  into  effect.  When  this  committee  appeared 
at  Green  Plain  Quarterly  Meeting  in  the  Fall  of  1843,  ^n 
order  to  lay  it  down,  the  anti-slavery  Friends  composing  by 
far  the  larger  part  of  the  meeting,  refused  to  comply, 
alleging  that  it  was  not  done  in  unity  at  the  Yearly  Meeting 
and  that  a  Quarterly  Meeting  could  not  be  laid  down 
without  its  own  consent.  The  committee  then  advised 
the  few  conservative  Friends  who  concurred  with  the 
Yearly  Meeting's  decision,  to  withdraw  and  set  up  a  meet- 
ing for  worship  and  a  Monthly  Meeting  at  a  private  house, 
which  they  did,  and  attached  themselves  to  Miami  Quar- 
terly Meeting. 

The  anti-slavery  Friends  still  kept  up  their  Monthly  and 
Quarterly  Meetings  at  Green  Plain. 

Such  was  the  state  of  things  among  them  in  the  spring 
of  1844,  when  accompanied  by  my  friend  Isaac  Nichols,  I 
visited  those  meetings.  The  first  one  we  attended  was 
Miami  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Waynesville,  Ohio.  It 
was  a  large  assembly,  and  during  the  meeting  for  worship, 
I  was  led  to  open  the  subject  of  Church  government  and 
Christian  discipline  as  taught  by  the  Divine  Master.  After 
glancing  at  the  history  of  the  Church  in  its  declension 
and  tne  revival  of  primitive  Christianity  in  the  rise  and 
progress  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  I  endeavored  to  show 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  61 

that  our  code  of  discipline  was  founded  upon  the  funda- 
'mental  principle  of  Christianity,  which  is  the  indwelling  of 
Christ,  or  the  Divine  Power  in  his  people,  and  that  it  pla- 
ces us  all  upon  equality  as  to  our  privileges,  every  member 
being  at  liberty  to  express  his  views  and  sentiments,  and 
the  meeting  being  gathered  under  the  influence  of  Divine 
love,  adopts  those  views  which  meet  the  witness  for  God 
in  every  heart.  It  sometimes  pleases  the  head  of  the 
Church,  to  open  subjects  to  the  younger  members  who 
are  watchful .  and  obedient,  but  whether  they  come  from 
young  or  old,  if  expressed  in  tenderness  and  accompanied 
by  the  Divine  unction,  they  usually  gain  the  assent  of  all. 
Thus  the  Church  may  be  preserved  in  harmony,  under  the 
controlling  influence  of  Divine  love.  In  the  meeting  for 
discipline,  I  was  concerned  to  proceed  further,  in  exposi- 
tion of  our  mode  of  Church  government,  showing  the  ad- 
vantages to  be  derived  from  meetings  of  ministers  and 
elders,  when  held  in  the  authority  of  truth.  When  minis- 
ters deviate  from  their  duty,  in  the  exercise  of  their  gifts, 
through  un watchfulness  or  any  other  cause,  it  is  the  duty 
of  the  ministers  and  elders,  to  counsel  them  tenderly  and 
privately,  in  order  that  their  service  in  the  Church  may 
not  be  impaired.  If  after  patient  labor,  they  cannot  be 
brought  to  a  sense  of  their  deviation,  the  case  may  then 
be  brought  before  the  Monthly  Meeting,  which  is  the 
executive  branch  of  the  Society. 

When  the  minutes  of  the  last  Quarterly  Meeting  were 
read,  it  appeared  that  a  committee  appointed  in  the  Eleventh 
month,  to  visit  the  Monthly  Meetings,  reported  in  the  Se- 
cond month  ensuing,  and  stated  in  substance,  that  four 
ministers  had  lost  their  usefulness  as  ministers  and  proposed 
that  they  should  no  longer  be  considered  as  such. 

This  report  was  agreed  to  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting, 


62  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

thus  cutting  off  the  privileges  of  four  recorded  ministers, 
without  private  labor,  and  without  any  action  on  the  part 
of  the  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders. 

I  requested  that  the  rules  of  Discipline  relating  to 
ministers  might  be  read,  which  was  done,  and  I  then 
pointed  out  the  mistake  made  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting, 
for  it  has  no  jurisdiction  in  such  cases,  until  they  come  up 
by  appeal  from  a  Monthly  Meeting.  After  a  season  of  deep 
exercise,  and  free  expression,  the  meeting  very  generally 
coincided  with  my  views,  and  it  was  agreed  to  make 'a 
minute  rescinding  the  decision  of  the  last  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, in  relation  to  those  ministers.  The  Christian  spirit 
manifested  by  most  of  those  who  spoke,  and  the  final  ac- 
tion of  the  meeting,  were  very  satisfactory  and  encouraging 
to  me.  During  the  discussion  I  informed  them  of  my  pro- 
spect of  visiting  the  families  of  Friends  at  Green  Plain, 
without  distinction  of  parties,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  pro- 
mote a  reconciliation,  and  several  who  spoke,  en- 
couraged me  to  do  so. 

On  reaching  Green  Plain  we  attended  the  meeting  held 
at  Abel  Walker's  on  First-day  morning, and  had  an  appointed 
meeting  in  the  afternoon  in  the  old  meeting  house.  In 
the  latter,  I  was  led  to  call  the  attention  of  Friends  to  the 
only  foundation  on  which  the  Church  can  be  established, 
which  is  Christ,  or  the  revelation  of  Divine  power  in  the 
soul,  and  if  any  man  build  upon  this  foundation,  his  build- 
ing must  be  of  heavenly  materials,  that  is  to  say,  those 
principles  of  righteousness  which  are  "  the  fruits  of  the 
spirit,"  but  if  we  build  of  earthly  materials,  "  wood,  hay 
or  stubble,"  our  work  will  be  "  tried  by  fire."  The  meet- 
ing was  solemn,  and  I  thought  favored  with  a  sense  of 
the  Divine  presence, 

During   the   week  we  visited  a  number  of   families  of 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  63 

Friends,  engaging  with  them  in  Divine  worship,  and  seek- 
ing counsel  of  the  Lord.  Our  visits  were  well  received, 
and  in  some  families  there  was  much  tenderness  of  spirit. 

On  Seventh  day  a  conference  or  convention  of  anti- 
slavery  Friends  was  held  at  Green  Plain  meeting-house, 
which  we  attended.  This  meeting  had  been  announced 
some  months  before,  and  was  intended  for  consultation 
concerning  the  difficulties  at  Green  Plain,  and  to  consider 
what  course  should  be  pursued.  The  invitation  was  ex- 
tended to  Friends  at  a  distance,  and  the  object  being  con- 
sistent with  the  main  purpose  of  our  visit,  we  felt  it  our 
duty  to  attend. 

After  the  meeting  had  sat  in  silence  a  considerable  time, 
a  member  arose  and  stated  the  object  of  the  conference, 
inviting  all  present  to  express  their  sentiments.  Although 
much  good  feeling  was  manifested  by  most  of  those  who 
spoke,  it  was  to  me  a  season  of  much  painful  exercise  of 
mind.  I  found  it  my  duty  to  tell  them  frankly  that  I  dis- 
approved of  the  "Disclaimer,"  and  considered  such  pro- 
ceedings calculated  to  lay  waste  the  order  and  harmony  of 
the  Society,  although  I  entirely  acquitted  them  of  any 
intention  to  produce  such  results.  Friends  are  amenable  to 
their  meetings  at  home,  and  it  is  not  proper  for  others  at 
a  distance  to  take  up  such  cases  on  report,  without  giving 
the  parties  complained  of  an  opportunity  to  be  heard  in 
their  own  defence.  One  friend  acknowledged  that  it  had 
been  done  in  heat  and  in  haste,  and  he  regretted  it.  Sev- 
eral expressed  their  approbation  of  the  spirit  in  which  we 
came  among  them,  and  said  they  could  make  almost  any 
concession  to  the  spirit  of  love,  but  none  to  the  spirit  of 
domination. 

I  urged  the  necessity  of  submitting  to  the  judgment  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting,  by  laying  down  their  Quarterly  Meet- 


64  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

ing ;  for  although  they  thought  the  case  a  hard  one,  there 
appeared  to  be  no  other  way  to  produce  a  reconciliation, 
and  it  is  our  duty  in  some  cases  to  suffer  for  the  promotion 
of  harmony,  and  even  to  "  lay  down  our  lives  for  the 
brethren." 

Several  of  them  united  with  my  views,  but  the  general 
sentiment  was  in  favor  of  addressing  a  memorial  to  the 
Yearly  Meeting,  stating  their  objections  to  its  decision, 
and  asking  for  a  reconsideration.  It  was  at  last  concluded 
to  appoint  a  committee  -  for  this  purpose,  and  we  were 
requested  to  meet  with  them.  I  expressed  my  willingness 
to  do  so,  but  stated  that  I  had  no  hope  of  any  good  being 
effected  by  such  an  address. 

In  the  morning  we  met  at  Joseph  A.  Dugdale's,  who, 
being  one  of  the  committee,  had  drawn  up  an  address  to  the 
Yearly  Meeting  agreeably  to  what  he  considered  the  con- 
clusion of  the  conference,  but  he  was  not  satisfied  with  it, 
and  said  that  his  mind,  after  a  severe  struggle,  had  under- 
gone a  change,  and  he  was  now  prepared  to  surrender  the 
whole  power  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  by  submitting  to  its 
decision.  Very  unexpectedly  to  us,  the  rest  of  the  com- 
mittee came  into  his  views,  and  by  their  request  he  drafted 
another  report,  which  they  adopted.  This  report,  ad- 
dressed to  the  Yearly  Meeting,  stated  in  substance,  that 
although  they  had  continued  to  keep  up  their  Quarterly 
Meeting  in  contravention  of  the  decision  recorded  in  the 
minutes  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  that  they  considered 
it  a  settled  axiom  among  Friends  during  the  time  of  the 
separation  in  1826-7,  ^iat  a  Quarterly  Meeting  could  not 
be  laid  down  without  its  own  consent  \  yet  being  desirous 
to  restore  peace,  they  were  willing  to  submit,  by  yielding 
up  their  books  and  papers,  and  laying  down  their  meeting; 
and  inasmuch  as  the  "Disclaimer"  has  been  construed  into 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  65 

a  personal  attack,  they  regret  it,  but  their  real  object  was 
to  place  themselves  in  their  true  attitude  before  the  public 
in  regard  to  the  statements  therein  contained ;  and  they 
concluded  "by  desiring  that  measures  might  be  pursued  to 
bury  the  remembrance  of  past  differences  and  strengthen 
the  bond  of  union  without  impairing  their  Christian  lib- 
erty in  supporting  their  testimonies. 

In  the  afternoon  of  First  day  the  convention  again 
met,  and  this  report  being  presented,  it  was  approved  by 
some,  and  objected  to  by  others;  but  at  length  it  was  con- 
cluded to  refer  it  to  Green  Plain  Quarterly  Meeting, 
which  was  to  be  held  the  next  day. 

Feeling  my  mind  clear,  and  having  fully  discharged  my 
duty,  I  concluded  to  leave  them  and  proceed  on  my  way, 
after  having  requested  a  friend  to  inform  me  of  the  ac- 
tion of  the  Quarterly  Meeting. 

At  Cincinnati  I  received  a  letter  from  him  as  follows, 
to  wit : — 

"After  the  usual  business  on  Second  day  was  gone 
through,  the  subject  referred  to  was  introduced  and  first 
laid  before  the  women's  meeting,  by  their  request,  who 
reported,  that  they  could  not,  at  that  time,  unite  in  for- 
warding it  to  Miami  Quarter  in  that  shape,  with  which 
our  side  of  the  partition  (the  men's  meeting)  mostly 
united. 

"  Seeing  that  it  could  not  pass  the  meeting  in  that  shape, 
it  was  proposed  to  strike  out  that  part  which  refers  to  the 
disclaimer,  and  consequently  submit  to  the  meeting  being 
laid  down,  thus  leaving  each  member  at  liberty  as  regards 
his  connection  with  the  Yearly  Meeting,  which  was  mostly 
united  with;  but  it  finally  resulted  in  referring  the  whole 
matter  to  the  care  of  a  committee,  who  are  to  report  in 
the  Eighth  month  next.     From  the  manifestation  of  feeling 

5 


66  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

evinced,  it  is  evident  that  there  is  an  increasing  unwilling- 
ness to  sever  their  connection  with  the  Society,  and  from 
the  present  aspect  of  things  I  should  think  most  likely  that, 
in  the  Eighth  month  next,  the  Quarter  will  be  laid  down." 

The  result  anticipated  was  not  realized,  the  reconcilia- 
tion I  hoped  and  labored  for  was  not  effected,  but  I  re- 
turned home  with  the  reward  of  peace,  feeling  that  I 
had  made  a  sincere  and  earnest  effort  to  restore  harmony 
among  Friends  that  I  loved. 

The  result  was  a  schism  in  that  meeting,  a  considerable 
number  of  families  resigned  or  were  disowned,  and  they 
organized  another  Society  under  the  name  of  Progressive 
Friends.  Soon  after  my  return  home,  I  wrote  "An  Epis- 
tle to  the  Members  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in  the  State 
of  Ohio."  It  was  read  in  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting,  held  at 
Mount  Pleasant  in  1844,  and  being  satisfactory,  was  printed 
in  connection  with  its  minutes.     A  copy  is  here  subjoined. 

"  EPISTLE. 

"  Dear  Friends  : — Having  been  called,  as  I  believe,  to 
labor  among  you  in  the  love  of  the  gospel)  I  feel  an  en- 
gagement to  lay  before  you,  in  the  form  of  an  epistle, 
some  viewsthat  have  been  deeply  impressed  upon  my  mind, 
concerning  the  administration  of  our  Discipline  and  the 
support  of  our  testimonies.  The  objects  of  religious  asso- 
ciation are  to  strengthen  the  bonds  of  love,  to  encourage 
to  good  works,  to  support  the  weak,  to  comfort  the  mourn- 
ers, to  watch  over  one  another  for  good,  and  to  reclaim 
those  who  have  gone  out  of  the  way.  In  order  to  attain 
these  ends,  some  rules  and  regulations  pointing  out  the 
order  of  proceeding  are  obviously  necessary,  and  have 
been  found  conducive  to  the  harmony  and  welfare  of  Soci- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  67 

ety.  It  was  evidently  the  intention  of  the  Divine  Master 
that  discipline  should  be  exercised  in  His  church,  which  is 
clearly  shown  by  the  directio  ns  he  has  given  in  relation  to 
dealing  with  offenders :  '  If  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against 
thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone  : 
if  he  shall  hear  thee  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother,  but  if  he 
will  not  hear  thee,  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in 
the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  every  word  may  be 
established :  and  if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it 
unto  the  church  ;  but  if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  the  church, 
let  him  be  unto  thee  as  a  heathen  man  and  a  publican. 
Verily  I  say  unto  you,  whatsoever  ye  shall  bind  on  earth, 
shall  be  bound  in  heaven,  and  whatsoever  ye  shall  loose  on 
earth  shall  be  loosed  in  heaven.'  Matt,  xviii.  15,  18.  In 
the  Introduction  to  the  Discipline  of  the  Society  of  Friends, 
this  passage  has  been  justly  laid  down  as  the  rule  for  deal- 
ing with  offenders ;  and  I  conceive  that  in  all  cases  what- 
soever it  is  imperative  upon  members,  concerned  in  the 
exercise  of  discipline,  to  extend  private  labor,  before  the 
case  of  an  offender  is  taken  up  by  any  of  our  meetings  for 
discipline.  The  first  object  of  Christian  care,  in  such 
cases,  is  to  reclaim  and  restore.  It  is  true  that  the  reputa- 
tion of  Society  is  an  important  object,  but  the  only  effec- 
tual way  to  preserve  this,  is  to  act  under  the  influence  of 
that  meek  and  humble  spirit  which  would  induce  us  to 
stoop  down,  and  wash  the  feet  of  those  who  have  gone  out 
of  the  way.  '  If  I,  your  Lord  and  Master,'  said  the  blessed 
Jesus,  '  have  washed  your  feet,  ye  ought  also  to  wash  one 
another's  feet.'  'Brethren,  if  a  man  be  overtaken  in  a 
fault,  ye  which  are  spiritual  restore  such  an  one  in  the 
spirit  of  meekness,  considering  thyself,  lest  thou  also  be 
tempted.  Bear  ye  one  another's  burdens,  and  so  fulfil 
the  law  of  Christ.'   Gal.  vi.  1.     If  this  private  labor  prove 


68  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

unavailing,  the  case  must  then  be  reported  to  the  church, 
and  the  next  question  that  arises  is,  how  shall  the  judg- 
ment of  the  church  be  arrived  at?  There  are  cases  fre- 
quently occurring  in  which  members  do  not  see  '  eye  to 
eye,'  and  therefore  there  will  often  be  a  diversity  of  senti- 
ment ;  yet  the  church  is  represented  as  one  body  having 
many  members  of  which  Jesus  Christ  is  the  head  ;  or  as 
one  temple  composed  of  living  stones  built  up  '  for  an 
habitation  of  God  through  the  spirit.' 

"  A  church  thus  united  cannot  act  upon  the  principle  of 
political  bodies  where  a  majority  governs,  and  it  is  still 
more  objectionable  for  a  minority  to  assume  the  right  to 
govern.  The  only  way  to  preserve  '  the  unity  of  the  spirit 
in  the  bond  of  peace,'  is  for  every  member  in  our  meetings 
for  discipline  to  draw  nigh  to  the  fountain  of  life  and  love 
in  order  to  '  ask  wisdom  of  God,  that  giveth  to  all  men 
liberally  and  upbraideth  not.'  James  i.  5.  While  waiting 
upon  Him  in  this  frame  of  mind,  each  member  is  at  liberty, 
as  way  opens,  to  express  his  views  with  meekness,  and  if 
they  proceed  from  the  pure  openings  of  the  spirit  of  truth, 
they  will  meet  the  witness  for  truth  in  other  minds,  and, 
being  responded  to,  will  prevail  over  the  meeting. 

"Thus  by  abiding  in  patience,  under  a  solemn  covering 
of  Divine  life,  the  members  will  gradually  come  to  see 
nearly  alike,  and  those  who  have  expressed  different  sen- 
timents will  submit  until  the  clerk  (who  is  the  servant  of 
the  meeting)  may  be  enabled  to  record  the  united  judg- 
ment of  the  body.  When  discipline  cannot  be  exercised 
in  this  manner,  it  is  better  to  stand  still ;  for  if  unity  and 
love  do  not  prevail,  it  is  an  evidence  that  the  Spirit  of 
Christ  does  not  sanction  our  proceedings,  and  like  the 
Israelites  of  old  we  should  be  careful  not  to  move  forward 
so  long  as  the  cloud  rests  upon  the  tabernacle,  '  whether 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  69 

it  be  two  days,  or  a  month,  or  a  year.'  Numb.  ix.  22.  We 
have  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  (chap,  xv.)  an  instructive 
example  showing  that  discipline  was  formed  and  thus  ad- 
ministered in  the  primitive  church.  It  appears  that  some 
of  the  Jews  wished  to  impose  upon  the  Gentile  converts 
the  rite  of  circumcision,  and  the  observance  of  the  Mosaic 
law,  which  occasioned  a  controversy  that  was  referred  to 
the  church  at  Jerusalem.  In  the  meeting  convened  to 
consider  this  matter,  although  there  was  at  first  a  diversity 
of  sentiments  and  'much  disputing,'  yet  when  James, 
through  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  gave  a  true 
judgment,  it  reached  the  witness  for  truth  in  other  minds? 
and  being  united  with  by  all,  they  were  enabled  to  say 
they  were  assembled  '  with  one  accord,'  and  this  command- 
ment 'seems  good  to  the  Holy  Ghost  and  to  us.'  It  may 
be  truly  said,  in  relation  to  the  judgment  of  the  church 
when  thus  arrived  at,  '  whatsoever  ye  shall  bind  on  earth 
shall  be  bound  in  heaven,  and  whatsoever  ye  shall  loose  on 
earth  shall  be  loosed  in  heaven.' 

"Let  us  apply  this  to  the  case  of  dealing  with  offenders, 
which  is  one  of  the  most  important  and  responsible  of  all 
the  concerns  that  claim  the  attention  of  the  church.  After 
private  labor  has  been  bestowed  in  the  spirit  of  meekness, 
and  the  case  is  reported  to  a  meeting  of  discipline,  it  be- 
comes the  duty  of  that  body  to  bestow  further  labor  by  the 
appointment  of  a  committee  to  visit  the  offender.  Here  a 
watchful  care  should  be  observed  to  appoint  such  as  we 
believe  are  best  calculated  to  reclaim  the  delinquent  by 
going  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  love.  If  we  send  such 
as  are  harsh  and  rigid,  or  who  are  known  to  be  inimical  to 
the  offender,  the  labor  of  love  is  obstructed,  and  the  main 
purpose  of  discipline  frustrated. 


7o  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"But  if  after  patient  dealing,  the  transgressor  of  the 
Divine  law  cannot  be  reclaimed,  it  becomes  the  solemn 
duty  of  the  church  to  testify  that  he  is  separated  from  our 
communion,  as  by  transgression  he  has  separated  himself 
from  the  communion  of  Christ.  The  exercise  of  this  power 
involves  an  awful  responsibility ;  for  if  it  should  become 
a  practice  with  us  to  issue  testimonies  of  disownment  against 
persons  that  we  cannot  conscientiously  say  have  broken 
the  Divine  law,  we  shall  introduce  weakness  into  the  body, 
and  may  bring  our  testimonies  into  contempt. 

"  The  Discipline  established  in  the  Society  of  Friends  is, 
in  my  estimation,  far  superiSr  to  any  other  that  I  am  ac- 
quainted with,  and  when  administered  in  a  Christian  spirit, 
is  calculated  to  preserve  the  harmony  of  Society  and  pro- 
mote the  cause  of  truth.  But  I  believe  that  it  was  the 
intention  of  the  Divine  mind  that  society  should  be  pro- 
gressive. We  are  not  to  sit  down  at  ease  resting  upon  the 
labors  of  our  fathers;  for  every  generation  has  its  own 
work  to  do  in  order  that  the  testimonies  of  Truth  may  be 
advanced  in  the  world.  The  history  of  our  Society  proves 
this  important  truth.  Although  George  Fox  and  his  coad- 
jutors saw  far  beyond  most  of  their  cotemporaries,  and 
were  concerned  to  bear  a  faithful  testimony  against  oaths, 
war,  and  a  hireling  ministry,  as  well  as  many  other  evils 
then  prevailing  in  the  world,  it  was  reserved  for  another 
generation  to  advance  a  testimony  against  slavery,  and  the 
improper  use  of  ardent  spirits.  When  a  few  faithful  Friends 
began  to  preach  and  write  against  these  enormous  evils,  a 
considerable  number  of  the  members  were  in  the  practice 
of  them,  and  there  was  nothing  in  the  discipline  to  bring 
them  under  censure.  The  first  laborers  in  this  righteous 
cause  stood  almost  alone  with  a  host  of  prejudices  arrayed 
against  them,  but  they  placed  their  confidence  in  the  arm 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  7 1 

of  Divine  power,  bearing  their  testimony  with  undaunted 
firmness,  yet  in  meekness  and  patience,  until  other  faithful 
minds  were  convinced  of  the  justice  of  their  cause,  and 
the  concern  spread  from  heart  to  heart,  and  from  meeting 
to  meeting,  until  the  main  body  of  the  Society  was  pre- 
pared to  adopt  their  views  and  change  the  discipline.  But 
this  was  a  slow  process,  for  it  required  nearly  eighty  years 
from  the  time  the  concern  on  the  subject  of  slavery  was 
first  introduced  until  it  was  finally  accomplished.  Behold 
the  meekness  and  patience  of  these  faithful  laborers  !  They 
sowed  the  seed,  but  it  was  reserved  for  another  generation 
to  gather  the  fruit.  Yet  they  received  their  reward,  al- 
though the  work  was  not  accomplished  in  their  day ;  for 
they  had  the  return  of  peace  in  their  own  bosoms.  We 
may  here  observe  the  beautiful  adaptation  of  our  disci- 
pline and  church  government  to  the  progressive  nature  of 
man.  Every  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  male  and 
female,  has  a  right  to  be  heard  in  our  meetings  for  disci- 
pline ;  for  in  this  respect  we  all  stand  upon  one  platform. 
If  a  member  believes  it  his  duty  to  propose  an  alteration 
of  the  discipline,  he  is  at  liberty  to  lay  it  before  the  Monthly 
Meeting,  and  if  it  receive  the  approbation  of  that  meeting, 
it  may  be  forwarded  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  from 
thence  to  the  Yearly  Meeting,  where,  if  it  be  fully  united 
with,  it  is  entered  on  the  records,  and  information  of  its 
adoption  sent  down  to  all  the  inferior  meetings.  It  has 
seldom,  if  ever  happened,  that  any  change  has  been  agreed 
to  when  first  proposed  ;  but  if  it  be  a  right  concern,  it  may 
be  again  and  again  brought  forward  until  it  takes  hold  upon 
other  minds ;   for  '  Truth  is  mighty  and  will  prevail.' 

"It  is  not  to  be  expected  that  a  large  body  of  men  and 
women  should  at  once  see  the  propriety  of  altering  an  in- 
strument that  has  received  the  sanction  of  our  venerated 


72  Me?noirs  of  Sa?nuel  M.  Janney. 

ancestors.  Alterations  are  not  always  amendments,  and 
even  when  a  real  improvement  is  proposed,  there  will  be 
found,  in  every  religious  body,  a  considerable  number  of 
minds  who  act  upon  the  conservative  principle,  and  cannot 
see  the  necessity  for  any  change,  when  first  announced, 
however  salutary  it  may  appear  to  the  ardent  tempers  who 
are  for  pushing  forward  the  work  of  reformation.  It  is 
difficult  for  these  two  classes  of  minds  to  have  sufficient 
patience  with  each  other;  but  we  should  always  bear  in 
mind  that  both  of  these  are  conducive  to  the  welfare  of 
society,  when  kept  under  the  restraining  influence  of  Divine 
love.  The  ardor  of  the  one,  and  the  calm,  deliberate  pru- 
dence of  the  other,  are  both  essential  to  the  advancement 
and  safety  of  the  body.  If  we  compare  this  feature  of  our 
church  government  with  the  discipline  of  other  religious 
bodies,  we  shall  perceive  its  vast  superiority.  In  all  others 
that  I  am  acquainted  with,  the  clergy  have  an  undue  share 
in  the  formation  and  administration  of  discipline.  We 
know  that  the  tendency  of  power  in  all  governments,  and 
especially  in  ecclesiastical  bodies,  is  to  concentrate  itself 
in  a  few  hands,  and  the  consequence  has  been  that  almost 
every  reform,  being  resisted  by  those  who  had  the  power, 
in  their  hands,  has  failed  in  the  attempt,  or  been  accom- 
plished by  means  of  a  revolution  in  society.  The  dissen- 
tions  thus  produced  have  greatly  increased  the  number  of 
religious  sects,  and  in  many  cases  have  been  as  stumbling- 
blocks  in  the  way  of  honest  inquirers.  The  unity  and  har- 
mony of  Society  may  be  equally  impaired  by  a  positive 
determination  to  stand  still,  or  an  eager  desire  to  go  for- 
ward. We  should,  like  the  patriarch  Jacob,  endeavor  to 
move  onward  and  yet  be  willing  to  wait  for  the  hindmost 
of  the  flock. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  73 

"There  is  no  part  of  our  religious  concerns  in  which 
these  considerations  are  more  important  than  in  supporting 
our  righteous  testimony  against  slavery.  If,  on  the  one 
hand,  we  are  not  watchful,  we  may  fall  into  the  dangerous 
error  of  endeavoring  to  palliate  or  excuse  this  system  of 
iniquity  by  pleading  the  cause  of  the  oppressor,  instead  of 
being  as  a  mouth  for  the  dumb ;  and  if,  on  the  other  hand, 
we  allow  ourselves  to  become  too  much  excited  by  dwell- 
ing upon  the  harrowing  scenes  of  cruelty  enacted  in  our 
land  by  those  who  make  merchandise  of  the  bodies  and 
souls  of  men,  we  may  be  introduced  into  a  state  of  feeling 
that  will  lead  to  rash  deeds  and  intemperate  language,  un- 
becoming the  meekness  of  a  disciple  of  Christ.  Where  the 
destinies  of  millions  of  our  fellow-creatures  are  at  stake, 
where  the  highest  interests  of  humanity  are  disregarded, 
and  the  most  sacred  rights  invaded,  it  is  difficult  to  restrain 
the  feelings  of  indignation  that  swell  within  the  breast ; 
but  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  a  calm,  temperate,  and  yet 
decided  bearing,  will  have  the  most  salutary  influence  in 
promoting  the  great  cause  of  universal  emancipation.  Our 
predecessors  in  the  Society  of  Friends  have,  by  their  faith- 
fulness, placed  us  in  a  situation  to  bear  this  testimony  with 
peculiar  effect  in  some  of  the  slave-holding  States,  wliere 
the  purity  of  their  lives  and  their  fearless  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  truth  gained  for  them  the  confidence  and  esteem 
of  all. 

"After  liberating  their  slaves,  and  in  many  cases  paying 
them  for  their  services  performed  while  in  bondage,  they 
felt  concerned  to  encourage  others  to  pursue  a  line  of  con- 
duct which  had  been  so  conducive  to  their  own  peace  and 
to  the  welfare  of  society.  Their  efforts  were  stimulated  by 
active  benevolence  and  tempered  with  that  lamb-like  spirit 
which  '  takes  its  kingdom  by  entreaty  and  keeps  it  by  low- 
liness of  mind.' 


74  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"  It  was  in  this  way  that  Woolman,  Benezet,  Mifflin, 
and  Lindley  labored  in  this  righteous  cause.  They  not 
only  condemned  slavery  in  their  public  discourses  and  in 
their  conversations  with  slaveholders,  but  they  wrote  and 
circulated  numerous  publications  calculated  to  throw  light 
upon  the  subject,  and  they  petitioned  Congress  and  the 
Legislatures  of  the  several  States  to  obtain  relief  for  the 
oppressed  and  freedom  for  the  enslaved.  James  Pember- 
ton,  whose  memoirs  are  published  in  c<  Comly's  Miscel- 
lany," vol.  7,  page  80,  was  another  eminent  laborer  in  the 
cause,  and  a  worthy  Elder  in  the  Society. 

"  In  the  year  1774  he  was  among  the  first  of  those  phi- 
lanthropists who,  as  Clarkson  says,  '  undertook  the  impor- 
tant task  of  bringing  those  into  a  Society  who  were  friendly 
to  this  cause,  and  who  succeeded  in  establishing  "the  Penn- 
sylvania Society  for  promoting  the  abolition  of  slavery,  the 
relief  of  free  negroes  unlawfully  held  in  bondage,  and  for 
improving  the  condition  of  the  African  race."  He  filled 
several  important  offices  in  the  Society,  and  continued  a 
member  thereof  until  his  decease.' 

"This  Association,  and  others  of  a  kindred  nature, 
were  instrumental  in  promoting  the  abolition  of  slavery  in 
some  of  the  Northern  and  Middle  States.  A  similar  Soci- 
ety, composed  of  Friends  and  others,  was  instituted  in 
Baltimore  in  the  year  17S9,  and  continued  in  existence 
more  than  thirty  years,  which  was  highly  useful  in  protect- 
ing the  free  people  of  color,  and  delivering  many  that 
were  illegally  held  in  bondage.  I  mention  these  facts  in 
order  to  show  that,  in  the  earlier  days  of  our  Society,  the 
mere  circumstance  of  Friends  uniting  or  'mixing'  with 
others  in  benevolent  or  philanthropic  organizations,  was 
not  considered  a  breach  of  order.  The  main  point  to  be 
observed  in  such  cases  is,  whether  the  objects  of  these 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  AT.  Janney.  75 

associations  and  their  mode  of  action  are  consistent  with 
our  religious  principles.  It  may  happen  that  when  the 
object  itself  is  good,  the  means  used  to  promote  it  are 
incompatible  with  some  of  our  other  testimonies.  In  such 
cases  it  would  be  better  to  bear  our  testimony  alone  and 
in  our  own  way,  without  interfering  with  the  action  of 
others  who  may  be  equally  sincere  with  ourselves. 

"  There  are  many  associations  in  this  country  having  for 
their  object  the  abolition  of  slavery,  some  of  which  are  of 
a  local  character,  and,  for  aught  I  know,  may  be  conducted 
in  a  manner  consistent  with  our  religious  principles.  But 
the  main  body  of  the  abolitionists  are  now  divided  into  two 
great  parties,  called  the  Liberty  Party,  and  the  American 
Anti-Slavery  Society.  The  first  of  these  is  a  political 
party  seeking  to  elevate  anti-slavery  candidates  to  the 
State  and  Federal  governments ;  the  other  relies  upon 
moral  suasion,  and  has  recently  proclaimed,  at  its  anniver- 
sary meeting  in  New  York,  that  '  the  dissolution  of  the  Fed- 
eral Union  is  one  of  the  principal  objects  to  be  aimed  at 
as  a  means  of  abolishing  slavery. '  This  measure  I  cannot 
sanction.  The  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  so  far 
as  it  upholds  slavery,  ought  to  be  amended,  but  not  de- 
stroyed ;  for  if  we  let  go  our  hold  upon  this  anchor,  we 
know  not  where  the  vessel  of  state  may  be  carried  by  the 
tumultuous  waves  of  party  spirit.  Anarchy  and  confusion 
may  ensue,  and  then,  when  it  is  too  late,  we  may  have  to 
weep  over  the  wreck  that  our  own  hands  have  made. 

"  In  the  present  aspect  of  affairs  we  should  look  well  to 
our  steps  before  we  become  active  members  of  any  polit- 
ical party ;  for  I  apprehend  that  none  of  them  are  con- 
ducted upon  our  principles.  We  profess  to  be  the  follow- 
ers of  a  Saviour  who  proclaims  '  liberty  to  the  captive  and 
the  opening  of  the  prison  to  them  that  are  bound;'  and 


7 6  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

although,  like  him,  we  must  render  unto  Caesar  the  things 
that  are  Caesar's,  it  should  be  our  main  purpose  to  use  all 
our  influence  in  promoting  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  and 
thus  extending  the  blessings  of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 
"  There  is  for  us  an  abundant  field  of  labor  in  the  anti- 
slavery  cause,  without  joining  either  of  the  two  prominent 
abolition  parties.  The  condition  of  the  free  colored  people 
requires  our  sympathy  and  aid ;  the  laws  even  of  the  free 
States  are  unjust  and  oppressive  towards  them;  and  our 
influence  might  be  exerted  in  promoting  their  amelioration. 
There  is  also  a  vast  amount  of  prejudice,  both  in  the  free 
and  slave  States,  against  emancipation  without  removal, 
which  we  might  be  instrumental  in  dispelling  by  circulat- 
ing information  concerning  its  happy  effects  in  other  coun- 
tries, and  especially  in  the  British  West  Indies,  where  it  is 
proved  by  experience  that  the  abolition  of  slavery  has  been 
highly  beneficial  to  both  the  master  and  the  slave.  By 
laboring  in  these  departments  we  can  advance  the  great 
cause  without  compromising  any  of  our  other  testimonies ; 
and  we  should  at  the  same  time  be  careful  not  to  judge 
harshly  of  others  who  believe  they  are  called  to  take  an 
active  part  in  societies  for  promoting  the  same  object. 
Many  who  are  thus  engaged  are  actuated  by  pure  motives 
and  benevolent  feelings;  and  although  they  follow  not  us, 
if  they  cast  out  devils  in  the  name  of  Christ,  we  should 
not  forbid  them,  '  for  he  that  is  not  against  us  is  on  our 
part.'  Mark  ix.  40.  I  am  far  from  believing  that  the  cause 
of  emancipation  is  retrograding  ;  the  moral  influence  of  a 
large  part  of  Christendom  exerted  in  its  favor  begins  to  be 
felt,  and  I  believe  the  day  is  not  distant  when  the  arm  ot 
Divine  Providence  will  be  displayed  in  the  peaceful  deliv- 
erance of  the  many  thousands  who  are  now  held  in  bon- 
dage.    An  impression  seems  to  prevail  with  some  that  the 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  77 

Society  of  Friends,  as  a  body,  is  a  pro-slavery  Society ; 
and  this  epithet  has  perhaps  been  applied  to  us  even  by 
some  of  our  o$h  members.  This  is  a  mistake  which 
ought  to  be  corrected.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that 
ours  is  the  only  religious  society  in  slaveholding  States  that 
bears  a  testimony  against  slavery — the  only  one  that,  in 
this  respect,  does  not  bow  the  knee  to  Baal  nor  kiss  his 
image. 

"  Our  ancestors  placed  the  light  upon  the  candlestick, 
and  although  it  has  sometimes  shone  but  dimly  for  want  of 
faithful  laborers  to  trim  it,  yet  it  has  never  become  extin- 
guished, but  has  been  the  means  of  imparting  light  to 
others  as  well  as  illuminating  our  own  household.  After 
having  advanced  so  far  as  to  amend  our  discipline  and 
become  clear  of  slaveholding  among  ourselves,  is  it  not 
surprising  that  the  agitation  of  this  question  should  pro- 
duce dissension  and  division  among  us?  This  state  of 
things  must  proceed  from  a  want  of  charity  or  Divine  love, 
which  is  the  keystone  of  all  the  Christian  virtues.  In  some 
things  we  cannot  all  see  alike,  and  the  only  way  to  secure 
peace  and  harmony  is  to  extend  that  toleration  to  others 
which  we  desire  for  ourselves. 

"  While  we  keep  under  the  influence  of  a  truly  Christian 
spirit^  we  shall  feel  bound  to  place  the  best  construction 
upon  the  language  and  conduct  of  our  brethren,  although 
we  may  not  unite  with  them  in  all  their  views  nor  approve 
of  all  their  measures. 

"We  should  exercise  great  forbearance  towards  those 
whose  life  and  conversation  show  that  they  are  actuated 
by  a  sincere  desire  for  the  promotion  of  human  happiness. 
If  in  some  things  they  deviate  from  our  established  order 
through  an  earnest  zeal  in  supporting  one  of  our  most 
prominent  testimonies,  let  us  bear  in  mind  that  their  case  is 


y8  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

very  different  from  those  whose  hearts  are  engrossed  by  the 
love  of  the  world,  or  who  transgress  our  discipline  by  acts 
of  immorality. 

"When  Peter,  through  excessive  zeal,  smote  off  the  ear 
of  the  high  priest's  servant,  Jesus  reproved  him,  but  did 
not  cast  him  off;  and  when,  in  a  season  of  weakness,  he 
soon  after  denied  his  Master,  '  the  Lord  turned  and  looked 
upon  him,'  and  that  look,  full  of  love  and  tenderness,  so 
wrought  upon  his  feelings  that  '  he  went  out  and  wept 
bitterly.' 

"  Oh  !  that  the  spirit  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus  might 
prevail  in  our  hearts,  and  bear  rule  in  our  assemblies;  for 
'  a  bruised  reed  he  shall  not  break,  and  smoking  flax  shall 
he  not  quench  till  he  send  forth  judgment  unto  victory.' 
Matt.  xii.  20. 

The  incident  to  which  I  have  just  alluded  in  the  life  of 
a  devoted  Apostle,  is  one  among  the  many  evidences  we 
have  that  even  those  who  have  made  some  progress  in  the 
knowledge  of  Divine  things  are  liable,  if  not  continually 
watchful,  to  yield  to  temptation  and  fall  into  error.  It  is 
true  that  Peter  had  not  then  become  fully  acquainted  with  ■ 
the  spiritual  nature  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  but  it 
appears  that  long  afterwards,  and  on  another  occasion, 
'  Paul  withstood  him  to  the  face  because  he  was  to  be 
blamed.'  Gal.  ii.  xi.  How  important  it  is  that  we  who 
stand  in  the  station  of  ministers  of  the  gospel,  should  be 
vigilant  over  our  spirits,  and  that  our  brethren  and  sisters 
in  profession  should  watch  over  us  for  good,  in  order  to 
correct  our  faults,  and  not  for  evil  in  order  to  report  them 
to  the  world.  We  are  no  less  liable  to  error  than  other 
members  who  are  equally  devoted  to  the  cause  of  truth, 
and  in  some  respects  have  peculiar  temptations  from  which 
others  are  exempted.     One  of  these  is  found  in  the  dispo- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  79 

sition  so  often  manifested  by  weak  and  inexperienced 
minds  to  applaud  our  religious  services,  especially  when  a 
discourse  is  extended  to  considerable  length,  and  conveyed 
in  appropriate  language.  These  novices  have  yet  to  learn 
that  fluency  of  speech  and  beauty  of  expression  furnish  no 
test  of  gospel  ministry ;  for  although  it  may  be  conveyed 
in  'the  words  which  man's  wisdom  teacheth,'  if  it  be  not 
in  the  demonstration  of  the  spirit  and  of  power,'  it  is 
utterly  worthless  in  the  Divine  sight.  We  should  remem- 
ber the  apostolic  injunction,  'As  every  man  hath  received 
the  gift,  even  so  minister  the  same  one  to  another  as  good 
stewards  of  the  manifold  grace  of  God.  If  any  man  speak, 
let  him  speak  as  the  oracles  of  God  ;  if  any  man  minister, 
let  him  do  it  as  of  the  ability  which  God  giveth :  that  God 
in  all  things  maybe  glorified.'  1  Pet.  iv.  10,  n.  The 
ministry  of  the  gospel  is  a  Divine  gift  which  no  man  nor 
body  of  men  can  confer  nor  take  away.  It  must  be  re- 
ceived immediately  from  Him  who  is  the  '  Shepherd  and 
Bishop  of  souls,'  and  in  order  that  it  may  be  properly 
exercised,  we  must  act  in  the  name  which  signifies  the 
power  of  Christ,  for  'without  me,'  said  he,  'ye  can  do 
nothing.'  In  order  that  ministers,  when  properly  called 
and  qualified,  may  be  encouraged  to  occupy  the  talents 
entrusted  to  their  care,  and  that,  when  they  travel  abroad 
in  the  service  of  the  gospel,  they  may  be  recognized  by 
other  branches  of  the  Society  where  they  are  personally 
strangers,  it  has  been  found  best  that  the  meeting  to  which 
they  belong  should  acknowledge  their  gifts,  after  a  suffi- 
cient time  has  been  allowed  to  form  a  correct  judgment. 
This  acknowledgment  or  recommendation  of  a  minister 
confers  no  pre-eminence  that  should  elevate  him  in  his  own 
esteem,  or  excite  the  jealousy  of  others  ;  for  it  was  said  to 
the  disciples,  '  One  is  your  master,  even  Christ,  and  all  ye 


80  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

are  brethren.'  At  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  our 
Society,  it  became  a  practice  to  appoint  two  or  more  ex-" 
perienced  Friends  of  each  sex  to  sit  with  ministers ;  and 
hence  originated  the  office  of  elders,  which  I  believe  also 
corresponds  with  the  practice  of  the  primitive  church; 
for  Paul  and  Barnabas,  while  in  Asia  Minor,  ordained 
or  appointed  'elders  in  every  church,'  and  Titus  was  di- 
rected to  do  the  same  in  every  city  of  Crete.  Acts  xiv. 
23;  Titus  i.  5. 

"Paul,  in  addressing  the  elders  of  the  church  at  Ephe- 
sus,  said  to  them,  'Take  heed  to  yourselves  and  to  all  the 
flock  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  you  overseers,' 
(Acts  xx.  28);  and  Peter  exhorts  the  elders  to  "  Feed  the 
flock  of  God  which  is  among  you,  taking  the  oversight  there- 
of, not  by  constraint,  but  willingly;  not  for  filthy  lucre, 
but  of  a  ready  mind;  neither  as  being  lords  over  God's 
heritage,  but  being  ensamples  to  the  flock.'  1  Peter  v.  2. 
It  appears  that  the  term  'elder'  was  sometimes  applied  to 
ministers,  for  Peter  calls  himself  an  elder;  but  it  may  be 
inferred  that  this  was  not  always  the  case,  for  Paul  says, 
'Let  the  elders  that  rule  well  be  accounted  worthy  of 
double  honor,  especially  they  who  labor  in  word  and  doc- 
trine.' 1  Tim.  v.  17.  I  conceive  that  the  office  of  an  elder 
is  to  watch  with  parental  care  over  the  whole  flock,  extend- 
ing a  hand  of  help  and  a  word  of  encouragement  wherever 
it  is  needed.  They  are  not  only  to  sit  with  ministers,  but 
to  endeavor  to  sympathize  with  them  in  their  religious 
exercises  ;  and  when  they  perceive  that  a  minister,  through 
unwatchfulness  or  a  desire  of  applause,  runs  into  an  excess 
of  words  without  the  life  and  unction  of  the  gospel,  or  even 
if  he  fall  into  a  habit  of  delivery  unsuitable  to  the  dignity 
of  the  subject,  it  is  their  duty,  in  a  tender  and  affectionate 
manner,   to   extend  suitable   counsel.     This  may  also  be 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  81 

done  by  other  members  of  the  Society,  male  or  female, 
who  may  feel  it  their  duty;  but  there  is  an  obvious  propri- 
ety in  this  duty  being  especially  committed  to  discreet, 
experienced  minds,  3uch  as  elders  ought  to  be ;  for  if  it 
should  become  the  subject  of  general  remark,  the  minis- 
ter's usefulness  would  be  impaired,,  his  feelings  might  be 
wounded,  and  the  harmony  of  Society  endangered-  In 
some  meetings  there  is  a  jealousy  or  distrust  of  the  elder- 
ship, which  I  sincerely  regret,  because  I  believe  it  was 
instituted  under  the  guidance  of  Divine  truth,  and  I  am 
not  aware  that  any  change  has  taken  place  in  the  state  of 
Society  which  renders  it  unnecessary.  Like  all  other  insti- 
tutions, it  is  liable  to  be  abused  when  intrusted  to  improper 
hands,  and  has  perhaps  in  some  cases  been  made  an  engine 
of  oppression  ;  but  the  same  may  be  said  of  the  ministry 
itself,  which  although  a  great  blessing  when  preserved  in 
purity,  becomes  the  most  terrible  of  all  scourges  when  it 
falls  into  the  hands  of  a  mercenary  or  bigoted  priesthood. 
We  are  admonished  by  the  voice  of  history  that  the  great- 
est encroachments  upon  religious  liberty  have  been  made 
by  men  who  professed  to  be  ministers  of  the  gospel;  and 
although  we  have  closed  one  of  the  principal  avenues  to 
corruption  by  withholding  pecuniary  compensation,  yet  it 
appears  to  me  that  the  eldership  should  be  preserved,  if  it 
is  only  as  a  check  upon  the  power  and  influence  of  the 
ministry.  The  appointment  oi  elders  belongs  to  Monthly 
Meetings,  and  if  unsuitable  persons  are  chosen,  the  fault 
rests  with  them.  The  description  which  Paul  has  given  of 
a  good  bishop  will  apply  to  ministers  and  elders,  for  the 
term  bishop  only  means  an  overseer  in  spiritual  things. 
He  should  be  '  blameless,  vigilant,  sober,  given  to  hospi- 
tality, apt  to  teach,  not  given  to  wine,  no  striker,  not 
greedy  of  filthy  lucre,  but  patient,  no  brawler,  not  covet- 

6 


82  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

ous,  one  that  ruleth  well  his  own  house  ;  not  a  novice  ;  and 
moreover,  he  must  have  a  good  report  of  them  which  are 
without.'  i  Tim.  iii.  The  idea  of  perfect  equality  in  all 
things  which  some  persons  appear  to  entertain,  is  one  that 
I  believe  cannot  be  realized  in  practice.  According  to  the 
parable  of  the  talents  (Matt.  xxv.  15),  it  appears  that  'to 
one  servant  he  gave  five,  to  another  two,  and  to  another 
one,  to  every  man  according  to  his  several  ability.'  These 
talents  may  represent  spiritual  gifts,  intellectual  power,  or 
temporal  goods,  which  are  dispensed  to  men  in  various 
proportions  according  to  the  will  of  the  great  Giver.  Our 
happiness  depends  upon  the  use  we  make  of  them,  and  the 
man  who  has  one  or  two  talents  may  be  as  fully  blest  in 
occupying  them,  as  he  who  has  five  talents.  The  vessel 
that  holds  one  measure,  when  it  is  entirely  filled,  is  as  un- 
conscious of  any  deficiency  as  that  which  holds  two  or  five 
measures. 

"If  we  lived  up  to  the  principles  we  profess,  the  Chris- 
tian church  would,  for  all  practical  purposes,  enjoy  a  com- 
munity of  goods,  for  the  rich  would  consider  themselves  as 
stewards  entrusted  with  the  means  of  helping  their  breth- 
ren, and  the  gifted  in  spiritual  things,  so  far  from  being  as 
lords  over  God's  heritage,  would  be  as  ensamples  to  the 
flock.  If  we  are  not  prepared  to  carry  out  these  principles 
as  we  are  now  situated,  should  we  be  any  better  prepared 
by  retiring  into  other  communities  ?  It  appears  to  me  that 
the  same  passions  and  propensities  which  now  disturb  us 
would  be  manifested  there.  The  desire  of  pre-eminence 
would  actuate  some,  the  love  of  ease  would  influence  oth- 
ers, jealousy  and  detraction  would  sow  the  seeds  of  discord  ; 
and  where  we  expected  to  find  a  garden  of  Eden,  we  should 
be  introduced  into  a  wilderness  filled  with  thorns. 

"The  general  aspect  of  Christendom  at  the  present  time 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  83 

is  one  of  deep  interest  to  the  lover  of  mankind.  It  is  a 
season  of  intense  mental  activity.  How  great  is  the  con- 
flict of  opinions?  how  general  the  desire  for  discussion  ! 
what  a  variety  of  new  schemes  are  brought  forward  having 
for  their  ostensible  object  the  promotion  of  human  happi- 
ness !  Although  many  of  these  schemes  will  end  in  disap- 
pointment, and  many  pernicious  doctrines  are  promulgated, 
I  am  far  from  being  discouraged  at  the  prospect  before  us, 
for  I  have  entire  confidence  in  the  power  of  truth  when 
left  free  to  oppose  the  progress  of  error.  This  state  of 
society  is  far  preferable  to  that  supine  indifference  which 
rests  content  without  improvement,  and  sends  forth  no 
aspirations  for  the  relief  of  suffering  humanity.  It  is 
cheering  to  observe  that  many  of  the  principles  and  testi- 
monies which  were  opened  by  the  light  of  Divine  truth  to 
our  faithful  predecessors  are  now  rapidly  spreading  in  the 
world.  There  are  multitudes,  not  in  membership  with  us, 
who  acknowledge  and  openly  proclaim  that  war,  slavery, 
and  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks,  capital  punishment, 
oaths,  and  a  hireling  ministry  are  inconsistent  with  Chris- 
tianity and  subversive  of  human  happiness. 

"  Should  not  this  consideration  increase  our  confidence  in 
our  fundamental  principle,  the  immediate  revelation  of  Di- 
vine power  in  the  human  soul,  as  the  only  and  all-sufficient 
means  of  salvation ;  and  should  it  not  induce  us  to  cherish 
in  our  hearts  a  deep  attachment  for  a  Society  which  has 
been  so  signally  blest  as  an  instrument  of  good  to  mankind  ? 
But  let  us  not  depend  upon  the  labors  of  our  ancestors, 
like  the  Jews,  who  said,  '  We  have  Abraham  for  our  father,' 
for  such  a  reliance  will  lead  us  into  dead  formality,  and 
then  our  portion  will  be  given  to  others  more  worthy  than 
we.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  sincere  and  pious 
worshippers  of  all   religious  denominations  are,  equally 


84  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

with  ourselves,  the  objects  of  Divine  favor  ;  for  '  as  many 
as  are  led  by  the  spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God.' 

"  The  founders  of  our  Religious  Society  were  a  deep 
spiritually  minded  people.  They  did  not  discover  the 
great  truths  they  promulgated  by  mere  discussion  or  a 
dependence  upon  their  reasoning  powers ;  but  they  read 
diligently  the  Scriptures,  and  were  often  concerned  to 
draw  nigh  unto  God  in  the  spirit  of  prayer,  waiting  upon 
Him  to  know  his  will  and  experience  his  guidance. 

"I  rejoice  in  believing  that  there  are  among  you  many 
who  earnestly  desire  the  advancement  of  truth  and  right- 
eousness; but  I  fear  there  is,  with  some,  too  much  dwell- 
ing upon  the  surface,  and  too  great  a  desire  to  seek  after 
new  things.  It  is  true  the  apostle  recommends  that  we 
should  'prove  all  things  and  holdfast  that  which  is  good;' 
but  in  connection  with  this  he  says,  '  Pray  without  ceasing, 
and  in  everything  give  thanks ;  quench  not  the  spirit, 
despise  not  prophesying,  abstain  from  all  appearance  of 
evil.'  i  Thes.  v.  17.  In  order  to  prove  or  examine  im- 
portant questions,  let  us  ask  for  Divine  guidance  and 
heavenly  wisdom.  Although  the  cultivation  of  the  mind 
and  the  acquisition  of  knowledge  are  highly  commendable, 
as  being  conducive  to  our  happiness  and  usefulness  in 
society,  we  should  ever  bear  in  mind,  that  that  true  wisdom 
which  enables  us  to  fulfil  all  the  duties  of  this  life,  and 
prepares  us  for  the  next,  is  only  to  be  attained  by  com- 
munion with  the  witness  for  God  in  our  own  souls.  It  is 
justly  remarked  by  Cowper,  that 

'  Knowledge  dwells 
In  heads  replete  with  thoughts  of  other  men, 
Wisdom  in  minds  attentive  to  their  own. 
Knowledge  is  proud  that  he  has  learned  so  much, 
Wisdom  is  humble  that  he  knows  no  more.' 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  8<J 

"  Finally,  my  dear  friends,  let  me  revive  in  your  remem- 
brance the  exhortation  of  George  Fox,  to  '  hold  all  your 
meetings  in  the  power  of  God.'  When  we  go  into  our 
meetings  for  discipline,  as  well  as  those  for  worship,  we 
should  endeavor  to  divest  our  minds  of  every  improper 
bias,  with  a  sincere  desire  to  know  and  to  do  His  will.  If 
important  questions  are  expected  to  come  forward,  it  is 
highly  improper  to  determine  beforehand  the  course  we 
will  pursue,  or  to  attempt,  by  any  kind  of  private  man- 
agement, to  promote  our  own  views.  Such  a  proceeding 
would  be  a  practical  denial  of  our  fundamental  doctrine, 
and  an  effectual  forestalling  of  the  operation  of  the  Spirit. 
On  these  solemn  occasions  there  should  be  an  opportunity 
afforded  for  every  member  to  speak  who  wishes  to  relieve 
his  mind ;  and  when  we  have  expressed  what  a  sense  of 
duty  requires,  we  should  endeavor  to  divest  ourselves  of  all 
anxiety  about  the  result,  placing  our  confidence  in  the  arm 
of  Divine  power.  There  should  be  no  personal  reflections, 
nor  sharp  replies,  but  brotherly  love  and  Divine  charity 
should  season  all  our  communications,  and  thus  we  would 
be  enabled  to  move  onward  harmoniously,  'endeavoring  to 
preserve  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.' 

"  With  fervent  desires  for  your  preservation  and  prosper- 
ity, I  remain  your  friend. 

Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Springdale,  Loudoun  Co.,  Va.,  7  mo.  1st,  1844." 


CHAPTER    IX. 

1 844-' 46. 

He  writes  a  series  of  articles  upon  Slavery — Letters  to  George  Truman 
and  Isaac  T.  Hopper — Letter  to  his  uncle,  Phineas  Janney — Attends 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Red  Stone,  in  Pennsylvania — Enters  into 
a  canvass  for  free  schools  in  Virginia — Goes  to  Richmond  as  dele- 
gate to  an  Educational  Convention — Letter  to  a  Slaveholder. 

Having  been  for  many  years  deeply  solicitous  that  meas- 
ures should  be  taken  for  the  abolition  of  slavery,  I  con- 
cluded that  I  could  do  something  for  the  cause  by  writing 
a  series  of  essays  showing  the  disastrous  effects  of  slave- 
holding  in  my  native  State,  and  the  superiority  of  free 
labor  in  promoting  public  prosperity  and  individual  hap- 
piness. 

In  the  12th  month,  1844,  I  wrote  to  my  valued  friend 
George  Truman,  of  Philadelphia,  as  follows: — 

"  I  am  willing  to  labor  in  the  cause,  and  being  well  acquainted 
with  the  temper  of  our  citizens,  and  the  prejudices  they  entertain,  I 
think  I  can  approach  them  better  than  a  Northern  man ;  as  they  are 
more  willing  to  hear  a  Virginian  than  a  citizen  of  the  Northern  States. 
In  order  to  circulate  such  essays  as  I  have  in  view,  funds  are  requi- 
site, and  my  circumstances  are  such  that  I  cannot  with  propriety  spare 
much  in  that  way,  as  I  am  engaged  in  paying  off  old  debts  that  will 
take  many  years  of  assiduous  toil  and  frugality.  My  friends  in  this 
neighborhood  have  contributed  when  called  upon  to  pay  for  my  pub- 
lications, but  I  fear  they  will  feel  it  burdensome  if  called  upon  too 
often.  Now  the  question  I  have  to  ask  thee  is,  whether  there  are  not 
many  Northern  Friends  who  would  be  willing  to  assist  me  with  funds 
in  this  concern  ?  It  appears  to  me  that  one  hundred  dollars  per 
annum  for  a  few  years  expended  in  this  way,  would  do  more  than  ten 
times  the  amount  expended  in  the  North.     Only  let  a  move  be  made 

(86) 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  87 

here  and  responded  to  by  the  people  of  Western  Virginia  (who  have 
already  got  up  an  anti-slavery  party),  and  then  the  opposition  at  the 
North  will  give  way.  It  appears  to  me  that  there  will  be  less  dissen- 
sion among  the  Society  of  Friends  on  this  question,  as  soon  as  we 
prove  to  the  lukewarm  that  the  cause  is  advancing.  One  of  the  best 
methods  at  present  is  to  insert  anti-slavery  pieces  in  the  Southern 
papers  and  purchase  a  good  many  extra  numbers  of  the  papers  for 
circulation.     They  pass  better  through  the  post-office  than  tracts." 

I  occasionally  corresponded  with  Isaac  T.  Hopper,  who 
was  extensively  known  as  the  protector  of  the  fugitive 
slave,  and  the  able  advocate  of  universal  emancipation. 
He  was  engaged  many  years  in  works  of  Christian  charity, 
and  to  him  I  expressed  my  prospects  in  the  following 
letter : 

Springdale,  Loudoun  Co.,  Va. 
1 2th  mo.  15th,  1844. 
Isaac  T.  Hopper: 

"  Esteemed  Friend : — Thy  acceptable  letter  of  25th  ult.  has  been 
received,  and  the  bundle  of  books  also  came  to  hand,  for  which  please 
accept  my  thanks.  I  was  sorry  to  hear  of  thy  long  confinement  from 
indisposition,  but  hope  thou  art,  before  this,  sufficiently  recovered  to 
resume  thy  labors  in  the  cause  of  humanity.  It  has  happened  in  all 
ages  that  those  who  make  the  greatest  sacrifices  for  the  oppressed  are 
often  the  least  rewarded  by  human  approbation,  but  they  have  the 
reward  of  peace  in  their  own  bosoms,  which  is  far  better.  When  we 
consider  how  short  is  our  pilgrimage  in  this  state  of  existence,  and 
how  interminable  the  duration  of  that  life  which  is  to  come,  we  are 
made  willing  to  endure  the  afflictions  that  may  be  allotted  to  us,  and 
consider  them  light  in  comparison  with  the  riches  of  that  inheritance 
which  is  reserved  for  the  faithful  servants  of  Christ.  My  interest  in 
the  cause  which  thou  hast  so  much  at  heart  continues  to  grow  deeper 
and  deeper,  and  I  find  it  my  duty  at  times  to  plead  the  cause  of  the 
down  trodden  slave  in  the  assemblies  of  the  people.  This  course 
brings  peace  to  my  own  mind,  and  is,  I  think,  satisfactory  to  my  friends 
in  this  neighborhood  ;  even  the  slaveholders  who  attend  our  meetings 
(which  are  very  large),  arc,  I  think,  mostly  conscious  that  we  have  the 


88  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

truth  on  our  side;  one  of  them  acknowledged  after  meeting  to-day, 
that  it  was  all  true.  Unhappily  they  have  long  been  bolstered  up  by 
a  set  of  ministers  who  cry  peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace,  and 
thus  set  the  people  at  ease  in  their  sins. 

"I  think  public  sentiment  is  advancing  here  in  favor  of  emancipa- 
tion, and  am  under  the  impression  tnat  there  are  many  more  opposed 
to  slavery  than  is  generally  supposed,  but  they  are  afraid  to  avow  their 
sentiments.  There  is  a  vast  amount  of  prejudice  to  be  removed  before 
any  thing  effectual  in  the  way  of  emancipation  can  be  done.  Public 
men  do  not  generally  lead  in  the  work  of  reform;  they  only  follow 
when  their  interest  requires  it. 

"  It  appears  to  me  the  time  has  come  for  the  discussion  of  slavery 
in  Virginia.  I  have  begun  it  in  earnest,  and  believe  it  will  be  my 
duty  to  pursue  it  with  vigor. 

'•In  the  Alexandria  Gazette  of  nth  inst.  thou  wilt  find  an  anti- 
slavery  essay  of  mine  signed  '  A  Virginian,'  which  some  persons  are 
surprised  to  see  in  that  paper.  I  have  sent  a  series  of  essays  to 
another  Virginia  paper,  but  do  not  yet  know  their  fate,  and  I  have  a 
Review  of  George  Truman  and  John  Jackson's  West  Indies  Narrative 
ready  for  the  Baltimore  Saturday  Visitor,  which  the  editor  has  pro- 
mised to  publish,  and  we  intend  to  have  one  thousand  copies  struck 
off  in  pamphlet  form. 

"People  in  the  slave  States  are  so  prejudiced  that  few  of  them  will 
read  abolition  tracts  from  the  North,  nor  will  our  papers  give  them 
any  useful  information  on  the  subject  cf  slavery.  It  is  therefore  quite 
important,  I  think,  to  have  such  essays  introduced  into  Southern 
papers,  and  if  I  had  the  means  at  command,  I  think  it  would  be  best 
to  have  a  considerable  number  of  papers  containing  such  essays  struck 
off  on  purpose  for  distribution.  By  this  means  we  might,  after  awhile, 
gain  over  the  editors  to  our  side. 

"What  dost  thou  think  of  the  question  of  compensation  to  the  mas- 
ters? It  appears  to  me  to  present  the  greatest  difficulty,  for  they  have 
the  power  in  their  hands,  and  will  not  listen  to  anything  else ;  but 
there  is  no  justice  in  it,  unless  our  long  acquiescence  in  the  evil  has 
made  us  all  so  far  responsible  that  we  ought  to  share  the  expense 
of  its  removal.  If  the  domestic  slave  trade  were  abolished,  which 
ought  to  be  done  instantly,  the  price  of  slaves  in  Virginia  would  soon 
fall  so  low  that  we  could  perhaps  satisfy  the  demands  of  the  owners 
without  much  difficulty. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  89 

"  Hast  thou  seen  Calhoun's  letter  to  Walker,  our  minister  to 
Fiance  ?  He  not  only  justifies  slavery,  but  endeavors  to  show  that 
the  West  India  experiment  of  Great  Britain  has  been  entirely  disas- 
trous, and  that  they  wish  to  get  rid  of  its  effects  by  bringing  us  into 
the  same  condition.  He  pretends  to  draw  his  information  from 
Blackwood' 's  Magazine  for  June,  1844.  I  have  no  doubt  his  state- 
ments are  incorrect  and  his  reasonings  false,  but  it  will  be  circulated 
all  through  the  South  without  refutation,  unless  refuted  by  some  one 
in  the  slave  States,  for  the  Southern  papers  seldom  publish  anything 
from  the  North  against  slavery. 

Thy  affectionate  friend, 

Samuel  M.  Janney." 

(The  following  letter,  referring  to  S.  M.  J's  Review  of 
the  visit  of  George  Truman  and  John  Jackson  to  the 
West  Indies,  was  written  to  his  uncle,  Phineas  Janney:) 

Springdale,  i  2th  month,  1844. 
Dear  Uncle: 

Thy  kind  letter  of  iStli  inst.  has  been  received.  The  amendments 
to  my  "  Review"  proposed  by  thee  and  my  valued  friend  W.  S.  have 
been  attentively  considered,  and  nearly  all  of  them  adopted.  In  some 
instances  I  thought  the  point  and  vigor  of  the  production  was  some- 
what impaired,  but  I  made  up  my  mind  to  abide  by  your  judgment  and 
not  to  allow  anything  like  the  pride  of  authorship  to  influence  my  deci- 
sion. If  I  know  my  own  heart,  my  desire  in  this  publication  is  to  do 
good  to  both  the  master  and  the  slave,  by  opening  the  eyes  of  the 
former  to  the  wickedness  of  the  system  he  is  upholding,  and  pointing 
out  the  way  in  which  it  may  be  removed.  In  this  I  conceive  I  am 
more  truly  his  friend  than  if  I  were  to  "  keep  in  the  quiet,"  or  look  on 
with  indifference.  My  feelings  and  views  on  this  subject  are  not  of 
recent  origin,  nor  are  they  derived,  as  thou  seems  to  suppose,  from 
those  "abolitionists  of  the  North."  They  have  not  asked  me  to  write 
for  them,  that  I  recollect  (except  in  one  instance),  and  my  pen  was  en- 
gaged in  this  cause  before  the  present  abolition  societies  were  in  exist- 
ence. I  have  to-day  been  looking  over  a  series  of  essays  on  slavery 
and  the  slave  trade  I  wrote  for  the  Benevolent  Society  of  Alexandria, 
which  were  published  in  the  Alexandria  Gazette  in  1827.  I  find  in 
them  expressions  of  the  same  character  as  those  objected  to  in  my 


90  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"Review,"  and  yet  those  essays  were  approved  and  adopted  by  a 
society  of  which  my  father,  G.  D.,  and  B.  H.  were  members.  The 
petition  to  Congress  which  I  drew  up  at  the  same  time  and  which 
was  signed  by  a  thousand  respectable  citizens  of  the  District  asking 
for  the  suppression  of  the  domestic  slave  trade  and  the  abolition  of 
slavery,  also  contained  some  expressions  so  plain  that  they  would,  per- 
haps, be  considered  harsh  by  some.  In  fact  it  is  difficult  to  speak  of 
the  system  of  slavery  in  plain  terms  and  describe  it  as  it  is  without 
seeming  harsh  to  Southern  ears;  nor  can  any  useful  impression  be 
made  upon  such  a  system  of  stupendous  wrong  without  a  plain-spoken 
exposition  of  its  revolting  features  and  ruinous  consequences. 

I  conceive  myself  called  to  labor  in  this  field ;  it  appears  to  be  as 
much  my  religious  duty  as  any  that  I  perform,  and  I  look  back  with 
unfeigned  satisfaction  and  gratitude  to  my  Heavenly  Father  for 
having  enabled  me,  in  years  that  are  long  past,  to  do  something,  how- 
ever small,  for  the  relief  of  the  oppressed. 

When  my  mind  afterwards  became  engrossed,  for  several  years,  in 
that  disastrous  business  at  Occoquan,  I  seemed  to  lose  sight  of  my 
anti-slavery  concern ;  but  now,  that  I  am  enjoying  some  relief  from 
the  shackles  of  debt,  those  feelings  that  prompted  me  to  labor  in  the 
cause  of  humanity  have  returned  with  renewed  vigor,  and  my  mental 
energies,  after  being  almost  paralyzed  by  intense  anxiety  and  care, 
are  beginning  to  .expand,  and  require  exertion. 

I  appreciate  thy  concern  in  relation  to  my  school,  and  feel  obliged 
for  the  freedom  with  which  it  is  expressed.  I  hope  never  to  be  so  weak 
as  to  be  hurt  with  candid  advice  or  admonition  from  my  real  friends. 
But  I  apprehend  no  injury  has  yet  resulted  from  the  amount  of  time 
occupied  in  these  and  similar  essays.  By  rising  before  day  in  winter, 
and  sitting  up  tolerably  late,  I  have  abundance  of  time  for  study  and 
composition  without  interfering  with  school  hours.  My  school  may 
suffer  and  perhaps  has  suffered  some  by  my  open  opposition  to  slavery, 
but  when  duty  calls,  interest  must  not  stand  in  the  way.  All  we  have 
to  do  is  to  obey  our  Heavenly  Father's  will,  and  trust  the  consequences 
to  Him.     *     *     * 

Thy  affectionate  nephew,  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

The  letter  I  addressed  to  my  friend  George  Truman  was 
handed  around  among  the  members  of  our  Society  in  Phil- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  91 

adelphia  and  met  with  a  hearty  response.  Many  of  them 
were  willing  to  contribute  freely  the  funds  necessary  to 
carry  out  my  plan,  and  I  proceeded  to  write,  print  and  cir- 
culate a  number  of  tracts,  in  opposition  to  slavery,  show- 
ing its  baleful  influence  on  morals  and  on  the  material 
interests  of  the  community.  Most  of  my  essays  were  pub- 
lished first  in  newspapers  in  Virginia  and  Maryland,  and 
some  were  afterwards  printed  in  pamphlet  form. 

The  series  of  essays  that  attracted  most  attention,  and 
which  incidentally  had  the  most  influence  on  my  own 
career,  was  entitled  "  The  Yankees  in  Fairfax  County, 
Virginia,"  by  a  Virginian.  It  consisted  of  papers  on 
agriculture,  education,  and  political  economy,  showing 
the  superiority  of  free  labor  over  slave  labor,  in  promoting 
public  prosperity,  and  it  was  first  published  in  the  Rich- 
mond Whig  with  a  high  commendation  from  the  editor, 
J.  Hampden  Pleasants,  who  was  at  heart  an  emancipation- 
ist. It  was  afterwards  published  in  pamphlet  form,  and  a 
copy  of  it  falling  into  the  hands  of  Samuel  S.  Randall, 
Superintendent  of  Public  Schools  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  led  him  to  think  of  coming  to  A^irginia  to  reside, 
and  ultimately  led  to  an  intimate  friendship  between 
us,  which  resulted  much  to  my  benefit,  as  I  shall  relate 
hereafter. 

The  following  letter  I  wrote  to  my  friend,  George 
Truman,  of  Philadelphia. 

Springdale,  2d  mo.  10th,  1845. 

"Dear  Friend: — I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  thy  kind 
letter,  and  can  assure  thee  I  feel  grateful  for  the  confidence  reposed 
in  me  by  the  Friends  who  have  subscribed  for  the  publication  of  my 
letters  against  slavery.  I  am  particularly  pleased  that  a  way  has  been 
opened  for  some  to  contribute  who  are  not  engaged  in  the  effort  now 
being  made  in  this  cause  in  the  free  States.     It  shows  that  Friends 


92  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

who  have  stood  aloof  from  that  movement  may  nevertheless  feel  a 
warm  interest  in  the  cause,  and  a  willingness  to  assist  when  they  can 
see  the  way  clear  to  do  it.  This  will  promote  charitable  feelings 
among  us,  and  may  prevent  the  spreading  of  that  dividing  and  desola- 
ting spirit  which  has  crept  into  some  of  our  meetings  in  the  Western 
States.  I  do  greatly  desire  that  brotherly  love  may  continue,  and  that 
we  all  may  be  concerned  to  put  the  light  upon  the  candlestick  that  it 
may  be  seen  of  all. 

"  If  something  be  not  done  soon  towards  the  removal  of  the  bur- 
thens by  which  the  poor  oppressed  slaves  are  borne  down  to  the  earth, 
I  believe  an  awful  retribution  awaits  this  guilty  land,  and  when 
national  calamities  shall  come  upon  us,  the  innocent  will  have  to  suffer 
with  the  guilty.  But  when  we  examine  this  subject  closely,  I  fear 
that  few  of  us  are  entirely  innocent  of  giving  countenance  in  some  way 
to  a  system  of  oppression  and  cruelty  that  has  seldom  been  equalled 
in  any  age.  Even  in  the  free  States  the  unhallowed  scheme  of  annex- 
ing Texas,  which  would  add  more  slave  States  to  the  Union,  and  con- 
sequently would  increase  the  domestic  slave  trade,  has  found  many 
supporters.  This  astonishing  infatuation  must  arise  from  interested 
motives  on  the  part  of  political  leaders,  whose  eyes  are  blinded  by  the 
god  of  this  world. 

Thy  affectionate  friend, 

Samuel  M.  Janney." 

During  the  fifteen  years  that  I  kept  the  Springdale 
Boarding  School,  it  was  my  practice  not  unfrequently  to 
employ  the  time  of  vacation  in  performing  journeys  in  the 
service  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  being  furnished  by  our 
Monthly  Meeting  with  proper  credentials  to  secure  the 
attention  of  Friends  where  my  lot  was  cast. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1845,  accompanied  by  my 
friend  John  Smith  and  wife,  I  attended  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  at  Redstone  and  other  meetings  of  Friends  in 
Western  Pennsylvania,  and  thence  returning  through 
Western  Virginia,  appointed  meetings  for  Divine  worship 
in  many  places.  The  meetings  of  Friends  in  Western 
Pennsylvania  were  small,  and   some  of  the  members  so 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  93 

lukewarm  that  they  seldom  attended.  My  labors  among 
them  were  well  received,  but  I  fear  the  impression  made 
was  not  deep  enough  to  be  lasting,  as  the  meetings  have 
since  continued  to  dwindle.  We  had  two  appointed  meet- 
ings with  the  colored  people  in  their  own  meeting  houses. 
I  expressed  the  deep  interest  I  felt  in  their  welfare,  and 
told  them  how  important  it  was  that  they  should  do  well, 
and  how  great  an  influence  they  might  exert  by  their  good 
example,  in  promoting  the  liberation  of  their  brothers  and 
sisters,  if  they  would  exert  themselves  to  live  virtuously 
and  bring'  up  their  children  in  Christian  principles.  A 
considerable  number  of  them  were  from  my  native  county; 
they  rejoiced  in  meeting  with  us,  and  one  old  man  said  he 
had  nursed  me  when  I  was  a  child. 

In  the  years  1845  an^  '46  much  interest  was  manifested 
in  most  parts  of  Virginia  on  the  subject  of  education,  and 
especially  in  relation  to  free  schools.  I  took  an  active 
part  in  the  movement  for  two  reasons  :  first,  I  saw  the  ne- 
cessity of  educating  the  white  children  in  order  to  elevate 
and  enlighten  the  governing  class,  and  secondly,  I  thought 
it  would  be  the  means  of  promoting  the  anti-slavery  sen- 
timent which  was  obstructed  by  ignorance  and  prejudice. 

Delegates  were  appointed  in  many  counties  and  in  most 
of  the  cities  of  the  Commonwealth,  to  attend  an  Educational 
Convention  in  Richmond.  I  attended  as  a  delegate  from 
Loudoun.  The  Governor,  J.  McDowell,  presided,  and  the 
business  was  referred  to  several  committees  on  different 
branches  to  consider  and  report.  I  was  appointed  on  a 
committee  of  fifteen  to  report  on  Common  School  Educa- 
tion. T.  Jefferson  Randolph  was  chairman  of  our  com- 
mittee, and  was  understood  to  be  in  favor  of  a  free  school 
system.  When  we  met  he  was  absent,  and  the  chair  was 
taken  by  Dr.  Plummer,  one  of  the  clergy  of  Richmond. 


94  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

After  a  brief  conversation  he  said  in  substance,  "  x  suppose 
we  are  all  willing  to  continue  the  present  plan  (of  piying 
for  the  education  of  poor  children),  and  that  no  change'  is 
needed."  To  my  surprise  they  all  assented  to  his  views  ex- 
cept one,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature  frcm  Wheel- 
ing. I  arose  and  stated  my  objections  to  the  pauper  sys- 
tem then  existing,  showing  its  utter  inefficiency,  and  its 
degrading  effect  in  making  a  distinction  between  the  rich 
and  the  poor.  I  advocated  a  system  of  free  schools  such 
as  were  in  successful  operation  in  New  York  and  New  Eng- 
land, and  was  prepared  with  statistics  to  prove  my  posi- 
tion. When  I  had  stated  my  views  the  member  from 
Wheeling  said  to  me,  "If  you  will  embody  your  views  in 
a  report  I  will  join  you  in  it.  I  wrote  a  report  accordingly 
to  be  signed  by  him  and  myself,  and  the  other  thirteen 
members  of  the  committee  reported  in  favor  of  the  school 
system  then  in  operation. 

I  had  to  take  the  lead  in  advocating  our  minority  report, 
and  after  debating  it  a  day  and  a  half,  we  obtained  a  com- 
plete triumph  and  carried  our  point  by  a  vote  of  at  least 
three-fourths.  Randolph  and  some  others  of  the  com- 
mittee came  over  to  our  views,  and  the  Governor  who  pre- 
sided was  also  with  us.  The  next  question  before  the 
convention  was  a  proposition  for  the  establishment  of 
another  military  school  in  Virginia,  which  we  opposed  and 
succeeded  in  defeating,  but  it  was  rather  a  close  vote.  The 
Legislature  then  in  session,  passed  a  law,  in  accordance 
with  the  recommendation  of  the  convention,  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  Free  School  system  in  those  counties  where 
the  people  should  determine  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  to 
accept  it. 

When  I  came  home  I  found  the  cause  of  popular  educa- 
tion had  gained  ground.     At  the  request  of  the  people,  I 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  95 

delivered  addresses  in  Loudoun  and  in  two  other  counties, 
explaining  its  advantages,  and  many  public  meetings  were 
held  to  discuss  the  Free  School  system.  The  school  law 
was  accepted  by  a  popular  vote  in  only  about  six  counties, 
and  our  county  was  not  one  of  them.  Its  unexpected  fail- 
ure in  Loudoun  was  attributed  to  the  influence  of  the  slave- 
holders, who  were  generally  opposed  to  it  on  the  ground 
that  they  thought  it  was  an  "entering  wedge  for  some- 
thing else;" — that  is,  for  the  abolition  of  slavery. 

There  were,  however,  some  enlightened  and  benevolent 
slaveholders  who  deplored  the  evils  of  slavery,  and  were 
sincerely  desirous  to  promote  the  establishment  of  a  free 
school  system  in  Virginia.  To  one  of  these  who  co-oper- 
ated with  me  I  wrote  as  follows : 

' '  I  love  my  native  State  as  well  as  any  one  of  her  citizens, 
but  I  cannot  feel  satisfied  to  see  her  falling  into  the  rear  of 
all  the  rest  in  the  career  of  improvement.  Although  we 
have  many  enlightened  men,  it  is  an  undeniable  fact  that 
there  is  a  vast  amount  of  ignorance  in  the  State,  and 
nothing  has  yet  been  done  to  remove  it.  We  are  depend- 
ent upon  the  North  not  only  for  many  of  our  best  teachers, 
but  for  nearly  all  our  literature.  How  seldom  do  we  hear 
of  a  book  being  written  by  a  Virginian  !  Haw  few  scien- 
tific discoveries  have  we  made?  Nearly  all  the  best  devel- 
oped intellect  in  this  State  has  been  devoted  to  law  ana 
politics,  because  these  have  been  considered  the  roads  to 
distinction.  If  the  great  mass  of  our  people  were  educated, 
a  part  of  their  intellectual  energies  would  be  directed  into 
different  channels,  and  we  might  have  our  distinguished 
authors  and  savans  as  well  as  other  States.  But  it  is  not 
this  kind  of  intellectual  affluence  that  I  so  much  crave,  as 
a  general  diffusion  of  those  enjoyments  that  are  derived 
from  a   moderate  cultivation  of  mind,  which   might  be 


g6  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

placed  within  the  reach  of  all.  If  the  main  object  of  this 
state  of  existence  is  to  develop  and  elevate  the  intellectual 
and  moral  faculties,  and  prepare  the  soul  for  the  enjoyment 
of  the  bountiful  gifts  of  the  Creator,  we  have  a  heavy  debt 
to  answer  for  towards  those  poor  creatures  bond  and  free, 
who  are  condemned  by  our  laws  to  ignorance  and  degra- 
dation. I  do  not  lay  the  whole  blame  upon  slaveholders, 
far  from  it.  I  consider  the  whole  community  that  sustains 
the  system  responsible  for  it,  and  each  individual  who 
quietly  acquiesces  in  it  is  implicated.  In  thinking  of  this 
interesting  and  important  subject,  I  often  say  to  myself: 
"  Oh,  for  a  Wilberforce  to  stand  up  in  the  councils  of  our 
State  and  be  as  a  mouth  for  the  dumb ! "  I  have  a  firm 
persuasion  that  Divine  Providence  will,  in  his  own  good 
time,  raise  up  such  an  instrument,  and  I  would  respectfully 
ask  thee  to  consider  whether  thy  talents  have  not  been  be- 
stowed for  some  such  noble  purpose. ' ' 


CHAPTER   X. 

1849-50. 

Attends  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting — Answer  to  Wm.  A.  Smith's  Defence 
of  Slavery — The  Grand  Jury  indicts  him  for  it — He  defends  him- 
self and  is  cleared. 

In  the  Autumn  of  1849  I  made  a  religious  visit  to 
Friends  in  Ohio,  and  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  held  at 
Salem,  and  thirteen  other  meetings,  being  accompanied 
by  my  valued  friend,  John  Smith.  The  Yearly  Meeting 
was  a  season  of  painful  exercise,  on  account  of  the  differ- 
ence of  sentiment  existing  among  Friends  there  in  relation 
to  the  measures  pursued  for  the  abolition  of  slavery,  and 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  97 

the  promotion  of  other  reforms.  The  grounds  of  disagree- 
ment were  nearly  the  same  as  those  I  had  found  existing  at 
Green  Plain,  and  some  of  those  called  Progressive  Friends 
were  present  in  the  Yearly  Meeting.  .  There  was  much 
unprofitable  discussion,  and  a  spirit  manifested  by  some 
which  I  thought  was  at  variance  with  the  true  spirit  of  the 
Gospel.  My  concern  while  among  them  was  to  moderate 
the  zeal  of  the  friends  of  discipline,  called  Conservatives, 
to  induce  them  to  pursue  a  mild  and  conciliatory  course, 
and  to  lead  all  to  a  more  close  reliance  upon  the  great 
fundamental  doctrine  of  Christianity — the  Light  of  Divine 
Truth  revealed  in  the  soul. 

Under  date  Sixth  month,  13th,  1850,  Imade  the  following 
record:  cl.  I  have  passed  through  much  religious  exercise, 
and,  at  times,  have  been  favored  to  draw  nigh  to  the 
Fountain  of  All  Good  to  renew  my  strength  for  the  con- 
flicts that  attend  me." 

One  cause  of  trial  to  my  feelings  has  been  the  attempt 
on  the  part  of  some  misguided  and  malicious  persons  to 
prosecute  me  for  writing  against  the  injustice  of  slavery. 

In  the  Eighth  month,  1849,  a  Southern  Methodist  minis- 
ter, William  A.  Smith,  President  of  Randolph  Macon  Col- 
lege, Virginia,  delivered  in  the  Court  House,  at  Leesburg, 
a  lecture  professedly  on  education,  but  chiefly  in  defence  of 
slavery.  He  took  the  ground  that  slavery  is  right  in  itself 
and  sanctioned  by  the  Bible. 

His  views  being  listened  to  by  a  large  audience,  and 
applauded  by  some,  I  felt  that  it  would  not  be  right  for 
me  to  let  them  pass  without  a  refutation,  which  I  published 
in  a  Leesburg  newspaper. 

Soon  after  the  Grand  Jury  of  this  County  met,  and  pre- 
sented me  for  publishing  an  article  which,  they  said,  "  was 
calculated  to  incite  persons  of  color  to  make  insurrection 

7 


98  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

or  rebellion."  This  false  accusation  being  expressed  in 
an  illegal  form,  the  Court  would  not  bring  me  to  trial. 

At  the  next  Quarterly  Court,  in  the  Eleventh  month,  the 
Grand  Jury  again  took  up  the  case,  and  presented  me  for 
the  same_  essay,  in  which  they  alleged  that  I  maintained 
that  owners  "  had  no  right  of  property  in  their  slaves." 

Although  I  did  not  suppose  there  was  much  probability 
of  the  law  being  enforced  against  me,  which  imposes  a 
heavy  fine  and  imprisonment  for  such  cases,  yet  I  could 
not  be  insensible  to  the  opprobrium  intended  by  the 
attempt  to  persecute  me  and  "  cast  out  my  name  as  evil." 
I  thought  much  about  it,  and  endeavored  to  draw  nigh  to 
Him  who  is  mighty  to  save,  and  blessed  be  His  name  my 
prayers  were  heard  and  my  soul  comforted  with  His  pre- 
sence. 

In  the  Third  month,  1850,  the  time  set  for  trial  came, 
when  I  went  to  Court  prepared  to  plead  my  own  cause, 
but  on  motion  of  the  Attorney  for  the  Commonwealth,  the 
case  was  postponed  three  months  longer. 

On  the  nth  of  the  Sixth  month  the  case  was  taken  up  by 
the  Court,  and  the  Attorney  for  the  Commonwealth  made 
an  argument  to  sustain  the  charge  of  the  Grand  Jury.  I 
answered  in  a  written  argument,  and  the  Attorney  made 
another  speech,  to  which  I  made  an  oral  reply,  winding  up 
with  the  expression,  "  The  longer  you  keep  this  subject 
before  the  people  the  more  there  will  be  of  my  way  ot 
thinking."  The  Court  was  composed  of  the  magistrates 
of  the  County;  most  of  them  were  slave  holders.  They 
concluded  to  quash  the  proceedings,  and  their  chairman 
gave  me  a  lecture  upon  the  necessity  of  great  care  and 
caution  in  meddling  with  the  delicate  question  of  slavery. 
I  cared  little  for  his  lecture,  and  proceeded,  without  delay, 
to  publish  my  answer  to  the  presentment  under  the  title  ot 
"  The  Freedom  of  the  Press  Vindicated." 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Jantiey.  99 

"THE  FREEDOM  OF  THE  PRESS  VINDICATED. 

TO  THE  PUBLIC. 

"At  the  last  quarterly  Court  in  Loudoun  County,  Va., 
a  presentment  of  the  Grand  Jury  against  Samuel  M.  Janney, 
for  a  publication  in  answer  to  W.  A.  Smith's  defence  of 
slavery,  was  taken  up  for  consideration.  After  hearing 
the  argument  of  the  Attorney  for  the  Commonwealth  and 
S.  M.  Janney's  answer,  the  Court  determined  to  quash  the 
proceedings. 

SAMUEL    M.     JANNEY'S   ANSWER. 

"  Having  been  summoned  to  appear  before  the  Justices 
of  the  County  Court  of  Loudoun,  '  to  show  cause  why  in- 
formation shall  not  be  filed  against  me  upon  the  present- 
ment of  the  Grand  Jury,  for  maintaining,  in  an  article 
published  in  "  The  Washingtonian,"  on  the  10th  day  of 
August  last,  that  masters  have  no  right  of  property  in  their 
slaves:'  .1  beg  leave  to  submit  to  the  Court  the  following 
good  and  sufficient  reasons  why  the  said  information  should 
not  be  filed. 

"First.  I  deny  the  fact  alleged  in  the  presentment.  It 
will  be  found  on  a  careful  examination  of  the  said  essay, 
that  so  far  from  maintaining  that  masters  have  no  right  of 
property  in  their  slaves,  I  have  distinctly  stated,  in  two 
paragraphs  therein,  that  slaves  in  Virginia  are  property. 
The  first  of  these  paragraphs  contains  my  definition  of 
slavery,  viz  :  '  It  is  based  upon  a  principle  recognized  in  all 
the  slave  States,  and  expressed  in  the  laws  of  South  Caro- 
lina in  these  words,  "  Slaves  shall  be  deemed,  sold,  taken, 
reputed  and  adjudged  in  law  to  be  chattels  personal,  in  the 
hands  of  their  owners,"  &c.  Slavery,  therefore,  is  that 
condition  in  which  man  is  held  as  a  chattel.'     The  second 


ioo  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

of  these  paragraphs,  towards  the  close  of  the  essay,  is  as 
follows,  '  A  slave  is  to  all  intents  and  purposes  a  chattel 
personal,  and  maybe  taken  and  sold  for  his  master's  debts  ; 
he  cannot  acquire  nor  hold  property ;  he  can  make  no  con- 
tract that  his  master  may  not  annul ;  he  cannot  even  con- 
tract matrimony,  for  there  is  no  legal  marriage  for  slaves.' 

"  Here  is  a  distinct  recognition  that  slaves  are  property, 
in  the  legal  sense  of  the  term,  for  by  property  is  meant  any 
thing  to  which  a  person  has  a  legal  title ;  and  it  would  be 
absurd  to  maintain,  that  in  Virginia  the  owners  of  slaves 
have  no  legal  title,  when  we  know  that  slavery  is  established 
by  law. 

"  In  fact  this  is  the  very  strongest  objection  I  have  to  the 
whole  system  of  American  slavery ;  it  degrades  men  by 
regarding  them  as  property,  and  not  only  as  property,  but 
as  chattels  personal. 

"In  this  respect  it  differs  from  that  system  of  feudal 
bondage  which  formerly  prevailed  in  Europe,  for  the  serf 
was  attached  to  the  soil ;  he  could  be  sold  with  it,  but  not 
without  it,  and  consequently  the  family  ties  were  not  liable 
to  be  broken  at  the  will  of  the  master.  Perhaps  it  may  be 
alleged  that  the  quotation  I  introduced  from  the  writings 
of  John  Wesley  does  maintain  that  masters  have  no 
right  of  property  in  their  slaves ;  but  I  beg  leave  to  call 
your  attention  to  the  language  of  Wesley  as  quoted  by  me. 
He  says,  '  it  cannot  be  that  either  war  or  contract  can  give 
any  man  such  a  property  in  another  as  he  has  in  his  sheep 
and  oxen.'  Nov/  we  know  that  the  owner  of  sheep  and 
oxen  can  at  any  time  put  them  to  death ;  but  a  master 
cannot  put  his  slave  to  death  without  being  guilty  of  hom- 
icide or  murder ;  consequently  the  law  does  make  a  dis- 
tinction between  property  in  man,  and  property  in  sheep 
and  oxen.     But  if  the  sentiment  quoted  from  Wesley  will 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  101 

bear  the  construction  put  upon  it  by  the  Grand  Jury,  it 
does  not  necessarily  follow  that  I  adopted  it  as  my  own ; 
for  we  may  quote  from  an  author  for  other  purposes  than 
to  corroborate  our  own  sentiments.  If  the  quotation  from 
Wesley  is  at  variance  with  my  own  expressions  in  relation 
to  property  in  man,  it  cannot  reasonably  be  imputed  to 
me.  The  object  I  had  in  view  in  quoting  from  the  founder 
of  Methodism,  while  controverting  the  arguments  of  a  pro- 
fessed Methodist  minister,  is  sufficiently  obvious :  it  was 
'  to  show  what  Methodism  requires  in  relation  to  slavery, 
and  there  was  a  passage  in  the  manuscript  to  this  effect, 
when  taken  to  the  editor  of  the  Washingtonian,  but  it  was 
stricken  out  by  his  request,  in  order  to  spare  the  feelings 
of  certain  individuals. 

"  Having  now  shown  that  I  did  not  maintain,  as  alleged 
in  the  presentment,  '  that  masters  have  no  right  of  prop- 
erty in  their  slaves,'  I  deem  it  proper  to  say,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  George  Washington,  '  that  it  is  among  my  first 
wishes  to  see  some  plan  adopted  by  which  slavery  in  this 
country  may  be  abolished  by  law.'* 

"Second.  The  statute  under  which  this  presentment 
was  made,  when  taken  in  connection  with  the  Constitution  of 
Virginia,  does  not  apply  to  this  case.  The  Constitution 
says  (Art.  3,  sec.  11),  'The  Legislature  shall  not  pass  any 
law  abridging  the  freedom  of  speech  or  of  the  press ;'  and 
again  it  says,  '  nor  shall  any  man  be  enforced,  restrained, 
molested,  or  burthened  in  his  body  or  goods,  or  otherwise 
suffer  on  account  of  his  religious  opinions  or  beliefs' — that 
'  all  men  shall  be  free  to  profess,  and  by  argument  to  main- 
tain their  opinions  in  matters  of  religion.' 

"We  must  not  suppose  that  the  Legislature  intended  to 
violate  this  fundamental  principle  of  the  Constitution,  and 
*  Letter  to  J.  F.  Mercer. 


102  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

therefore  it  is  reasonable  to  construe  the  statute  so  as  not 
to  infringe  the  freedom  of  speech  or  of  the  press,  or  to 
impair  that  religious  liberty  so  solemnly  guaranteed  to 
every  citizen  of  Virginia. 

f*  It  may  be  shown  by  reference  to  the  Discipline  of  the 
Society  of  Friends  (page  61),  that  'as  a  religious  society 
we  have  found  it  to  be  our  indispensable  duty  to  declare 
to  the  world  our  belief  that  slavery  is  wholly  inconsistent 
with  the  beneficent  precepts  of  the  Christian  religion.  It 
therefore  remains  to  be  our  continued  concern  to  prohibit 
our  members  from  holding  in  bondage  our  fellow-men.  And 
at  the  present  time  we  apprehend  it  to  be  incumbent  on 
every  individual  deeply  to  consider  his  own  particular 
share  in  this  testimony.  The  slow  progress  in  the  eman- 
cipation of  this  part  of  the  human  family  we  lament,  but 
nevertheless  do  not  despair  of  its  ultimate  enlargement. 
And  we  desire  that  Friends  may  not  suffer  the  deplorable 
condition  of  these,  our  enslaved  fellow-beings,  to  lose  its 
force  upon  their  minds  through  the  delay  which  the  oppo- 
sition of  the  interested  may  occasion  in  this  work  of  jus- 
tice and  mercy,  but  rather  be  animated  to  consider  that 
the  longer  the  opposition  remains,  the  greater  is  the  neces- 
sity, on  the  side  of  righteousness  and  benevolence,  for  our 
steady  perseverance  in  pleading  their  cause.' 

"This  extract  from  our  discipline  shows  conclusively  that 
we  place  our  opposition  to  slavery  on  the  ground  of  a  reli- 
gious concern.  We  consider  it  a  duty,  on  proper  occasions 
and  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  love,*  '  to  open  our 
mouths  for  the  dumb,  and  to  plead  the  cause  of  the  poor 

*  The  first  presentment  against  S.  M.  J.  for  the  said  publication, 
charged  him  with  writing  an  article  "calculated  to  incite  persons  of 
color  to  make  insurrection  or  rebellion,"  which  was  set  aside  by  the 
court. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  1 03 

and  needy.'  Prov.  xxxi.  8,  9.  But  never,  on  any  occa- 
sion, has  a  Friend  been  known  to  '  incite  slaves  to  make 
insurrection  or  rebellion;'  for  to  resist  oppression  by 
physical  force  is  contrary  to  our  well-known  peaceable 
principles.  We  believe  that  the  triumphs  of  philanthrophy 
and  Christianity  cannot  be  achieved  by  coercive  means, 
but  by  the  gentle,  persuasive  spirit  of  the  gospel,  which, 
proceeding  from  the  love  of  God,  expands  the  heart  into 
love  for  the  whole  human  family.  Nor  do  we  feel  at  lib- 
erty to  encourage  insubordination  among  slaves,  nor  to 
advise  or  incite  them  to  leave  their  masters,  for  this  would 
be  an  improper  interference  with  the  relations  established 
by  law. 

"  Our  concern  is  not  to  meddle  with  the  slave,  but  to 
appeal  to  the  master ;  our  course  is  open  and  aboveboard ; 
our  aim  is  to  accomplish  a  Christian  object  by  Christian 
means. 

"  Now  we  must  not  suppose  that  the  Legislature  intended, 
by  the  statute  referred  to,  to  deprive  us  of  a  religious  priv- 
ilege solemnly  guaranteed  to  us  by  the  Constitution  of  our 
native  State,  and  which  has  been  constantly  exercised  by 
the  members  of  our  Society  from  the  foundation  of  the  Gov- 
ernment down  to  the  present  day. 

"Third.  If  the  court  shall  deem  that  the  statute  under 
which  this  presentment  was  made  does  apply  to  this  case, 
and  it  was  intended  for  such  cases,  then  I  would  respect- 
fully maintain  that,  the  statute  being  a  palpable  violation 
of  the  Constitution  of  Virginia,  has  not  the  force  of  law, 
and  it  is  the  duty  of  the  judiciary  to  disregard  it.  The 
court  will  find  a  precedent  for  this  course  in  the  case  of 
Peter  Kemper  vs.  Mary  Hawkins,  recorded  in  '  A  collec- 
tion of  cases  decided  in  the  General  Court  of  Virginia.' 
\Philadelphia  Edition,  page  20.) 


104  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"In  this  case,  which  was  decided  in  the  year  1793,  a 
statute  of  the  Legislature  was  unanimously  set  aside  on  the 
ground  that  it  was  contrary  to  the  Constitution  of  Virginia. 

"Judge  Roan,  in  giving  his  opinion,  said  : — 

"'I  now  think  that  the  judiciary  may,  and  ought  not 
only  to  refuse  to  execute  a  law  expressly  repugnant  to  the 
Constitution,  hut  also  one  which  is  by  a  plain  and  natural 
construction  in  opposition  to  the  fundamental  principles 
thereof.  If  the  Legislature  may  infringe  the  Constitution, 
it  is  no  longer  fixed ;  it  is  not  this  year  what  it  was  the 
last,  and  the  interests  of  the  people  are  wholly  at  .the 
mercy  of  the  Legislature.'    (Tage  38.} 

"  Judge  Llenry  said  : — ■ 

"'I  concur  most  heartily  with  my  brothers  who  have 
gone  before  me,  in  the  last  two  points,  that  the  law  is  un- 
constitutional, and  ought  not  to  be  executed ;  the  injunc- 
tion, therefore,  must  be  overruled;  and  this  opinion  I 
form,  not  from  a  view  of  the  memorials,  nor  from  writers 
who  knew  not  the  blessings  of  free  government  but  as 
they  were  seen  and  felt  through  the  prospect  of  future 
times,  but  from  honest  reason,  common  sense,  and  the  great 
letter  of  a  free  Constitution.'    (Page  66.} 

"Judge  Tucker  said,  in  concluding  his  remarks  : — 

"  'From  all  these  instances,  it  appears  to  me  that  this 
deduction  clearly  follows,  viz.  :  the  judiciary  are  bound  to 
take  notice  of  the  Constitution  as  the  first  law  of  the  land, 
and  that  whatson-er  is  contrary  thereto  is  not  the  law  of  the 
land.'    fPage  Si.) 

"  I  would  moreover  suggest,  that  the  statute  now  under 
consideration  has  been  recently  changed  in  some  of  its 
features,  since  which  I  believe  there  has  been  no  judicial 
decision  under  it. 

"Fourth.  I  would  respectfully  call  the  attention  of  the 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  105 

court  to  the  circumstances  under  which  my  review  of  W.  A. 
Smith's  address  was  written.  A  person  from  another  county, 
professing  to  lecture  on  Education,  had  recently  traversed 
the  county  of  Loudoun,  and  at  several  places  publicly  main- 
tained that  slavery  is  right  in  itself,  and  is  sanctioned  by 
the  Bible.  He  had  even  ventured  to  call  in  question  and 
to  ridicule  the  leading  doctrine  of  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence, as  may  be  seen  by  an  editorial  article  in  the 
'  Loudoun  Whig,'  published  the  same  week  that  the  lecture 
was  delivered  in  Leesburg.  And  can  it  be  possible  that 
freedom  of  speech  and  of  the  press  are  so  completely  pros- 
trated in  Virginia,  that  a  native  citizen  of  the  county  may 
not  be  permitted  to  answer  an  address  thus  publicly  de- 
livered, in  which  were  maintained  doctrines  at  variance 
with  the  sentiments  of  Washington,  Jefferson,  Madison, 
Patrick  Henry,  and  all  the  great  statesmen  of  Virginia? 
The  Court  will  find,  on  examination  of  the  essay  for  which 
I  have  been  presented,  that  it  is  moderate  and  temperate 
in  its  tone,  expressive  of  warm  attachment  to  the  Federal 
Union,  and  of  respect  for  the  feelings  of  my  fellow-citi- 
zens whose  education  and  circumstances  have  caused  them 
to  view  this  subject  in  a  different  light  from  that  in  which 
I  have  seen  it. 

"  So  careful  was  I  not  to  give  offence,  that  I  erased  from 
it  a  quotation  from  Jefferson,  which  I  thought  was  too 
strong  for  the  nerves  of  some  sensitive  people  in  Loudoun  ; 
and  on  handing  the  manuscript  to  the  editor,  C.  C.  Mcln- 
tyre,  who  is  also  a  member  of  the  court,  I  requested  him  to 
examine  it  and  strike  out  any  passage  that  was  calculated 
to  do  harm.  He  did  examine  it  with  that  object,  and  a  clause 
was  stricken  out  showing  the  purpose  for  which  the  quota- 
tion from  Wesley  was  made ;  but  it  ought  to  have  been 
retained,  as  subsequent  events  have  shown. 


106  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  beg  leave  to  reiterate,  that  so  far  from 
denying  that  slaves  in  Virginia  are  legally  the  property  of 
their  owners,  I  asserted  that  '  they  are  to  all  intents  and 
purposes  chattels  personal;'  and  this  is  the  main  ground 
of  my  opposition  to  the  whole  system  of  slavery,  for  from 
this  root  spring  all  its  manifold  evils. 

"  Being  desirous  to  pay  all  due  respect  to  the  dignity  of 
the  court  and  the  laws  of  my  country,  I  trust  that  my 
ignorance  of  legal  forms,  in  the  preparation  of  this  answer, 
will  be  overlooked,  and  that  the  court  will  protect  me  in 
the  rights  secured  by  our  Constitution  to  the  humblest 
citizen. 


S.  M.  Janney. 


Loudoun  County,  6th  mo.  nth,  1850," 


CHAPTER   XI. 

1850-51. 

S.  S.  Randall  suggests  his  writing  the  Life  of  Penn — 'Two  letters 
from  him  on  the  subject ' — Engaged  in  the  work — Visits  his  friend 
S.  S.  Randall,  who  assists  him  in  revising  his  book. 

During  the  years  1850  and  '51,  a  considerable  portion 
of  my  time  was  occupied  in  writing  the  life  of  William 
Penn, — a  labor  of  love  I  enjoyed  in  the  performance,  and 
which  has  since  yielded  me  great  satisfaction.  I  should 
probably  never  have  thought  of  this  undertaking,  had  it 
not  been  suggested  by  my  friend  Samuel  S.  Randall ;  and 
being  doubtful  of  my  ability  to  accomplish  it  successfully, 
I  hesitated  until  he  urgently  insisted  upon  my  making  the 
attempt. 

About  the  year  1845  or  '46,  he  was  living  in  Fairfax 
county,  Virginia,  having  removed  thither  from  the  State 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  107 

of  New  York,  on  account  of  his  health.  During  the  agi- 
tation of  the  Free  School  question,  he  took  an  interest  in 
the  discussions,  having  been  Superintendent  of  Common 
Schools  in  New  York;  and  thus  we  were  brought  into 
sympathy  with  each  other,  and  a  warm  friendship  sprang 
up  between  us.  After  a  brief  residence  in  Virginia,  he 
returned  to  Albany  with  his  family,  and  when  I  visited 
that  city  in  1849,  he  made  the  suggestion  above  stated  in 
relation  to  the  Life  of  Penn.  After  due  consideration,  I 
wrote  one  or  two  chapters,  and  transmitted  them  to  him 
for  examination.  He  replied,  under  date  of  May  28th, 
1 850^  saying  he  and  some  of  his  friends  had  perused  my 
manuscript  with  very  great  interest  and  pleasure.  "We 
are  all,"  he  wrote,  "of  the  opinion,  that  you  should  by 
all  means  proceed  with  the  work ;  that  it  is  conceived  and 
thus  far  executed  in  the  right  spirit,  and  that  it  cannot  fail 
of  meeting  the  public  approbation,  if  carried  out  in  the 
same  manner.  *  *  *  I  would  devote  at  least  an  entire 
chapter  to  the  history  of  the  origin  and  progress,  up  to  the 
period  under  consideration,  of  the  Quaker  doctrine,  with 
a  sketch  of  the  life  and  labors  of  George  Fox,  with  a  gen- 
eral and  comprehensive  exposition  of  the  leading  principles 
and  tenets  of  the  sect.  This  will  serve  to  elucidate  and 
explain  the  subsequent  connection  of  Penn  with  this  sect 
and  his  identification  with  their  peculiar  doctrines,  for  the 
details  of  which  I  should  refer  to  his  various  works,  with- 
out specifying  the  particulars,  except  as  they  might  become 
important  to  the  thread  and  staple  of  the  story." 

In  accordance  with  these  views  I  wrote  the  second  chap- 
ter of  the  work,  and  sent  it  to  S.  S.  Randall,  from  whom 
I  received  the  following  letter : 


io8  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"Albany,  June  26th,  1850. 
"  My  Dear  Friend  : 

"Yours  of  the  20th  instant,  enclosing  your  revision  of  the  second 
chapter  of  your  proposed  work,  reached  me  by  due  course  of  mail.  I 
am  entirely  satisfied  with  the  result,  and  am  of  opinion  that  it  will  add 
materially  to  the  value  and  interest  of  the  history.  I  have  but  one 
other  suggestion  to  make,  after  full  consultation  with  your  friends  here 
to  whom  I  have  submitted  the  manuscript,  and  that  is,  that  the  body  of 
the  narrative  be  diversified  as  much  as  possible  with  incidents  of  the 
private  life  and  personal  adventures  of  Penn,  such  as  will  exhibit  him, 
as  far  as  possible,  living  and  breathing  before  us,  a  fellow-traveler 
with  ourselves  on  the  great  and  familiar  thoroughfare  of  human  life, 
with  all  its  chequered  scenes  of  good  and  ill.  Every  event  in  the  life 
of  such  a  man  that  may  have  come  down  to  us  through  the  long  vista 
of  two  centuries  will  be  interesting,  no  matter  how  common-place  or 
familiar,  how  trivial  or  apparently  unimportant.  If,  for  instance,  we 
could  have  had  a  full  diary  of  all  the  little  incidents  occurring  from 
day  to  day  in  his  family  or  in  his  travels,  at  home  or  abroad,  his  reflec- 
tions and  passing  thoughts  on  the  current  of  human  events  as  it  rolled 
on  before  him;  such  a  diary  would  now  be  perused  with  unmitigated 
pleasure  and  satisfaction.  '  His  homes  and  haunts,'  the  association 
and  scenes  by  which  he  was  from  time  to  time  surrounded,  and  which 
must  have  entered  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  into  that  peculiar  combi- 
nation of  circumstances  which  formed  and  matured  his  character — 
all  these  things  should,  I  think,  be  dwelt  upon,  illustrated  and 
elucidated. 

"  I  take  the  liberty  to  send  you  herewith  a  late  number  of  Sartain's 
Magazine,  which  may  be  of  some  service  to  you  in  following  out  these 
hints,  should  you  deem  them  valuable.  Would  it  not  be  worth  your 
while  to  procure  the  originals,  or  impressions  from  these  plates,  and 
transfer  them,  at  suitable  intervals,  to  the  body  of  the  work  ?  It  strikes 
me  they  would  give  it  great  additional  value.  The  plates  could 
doubtless  be  procured  at  very  little  expense,  not  exceeding  ten  or 
fifteen  dollars,  if  so  much. 

"  I  feel  a  deep  interest  in  the  progress  and  success  of  your  work, 
and  have  not  the  slightest  doubt  of  your  ability  to  accomplish  it  in  a 
satisfactory  manner.     I  have  not  been  able  to  procure  the  edition  of 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  109 

Clarkson  to  which  you  refer,  but  I  am  not  at  all  apprehensive  that  it 
will  stand  in  your  way.  You  can  and  will  make  your  work  of  quite  a 
different  texture  from  his.  You  will  aim  at  a  popular  exposition  of 
the  life  and  times  of  the  great  Pacificator ;  not  so  much  with  reference 
to  his  peculiar  religious  opinions,  as  to  his  influence  as  a  philanthropic, 
clear-headed,  strong-minded  Reformer,  a  comprehensive  and  sagacious 
Statesman,  and  a  wise  and  astute  Legislator.  And  when  I  speak  of 
his  influence,  I  speak  of  it  not  so  much  with  reference  to  the  period  in 
which  he  lived  (altnough  that  was  undoubtedly  great),  as  to  the  period 
which  has  since  intervened  and  is  yet  in  the  womb  of  the  future.  I 
wish  to  see  traced,  in  letters  of  living  light,  the  influence  of  a  great 
idea,  conceived  by  a  strong,  powerful  and  lucid  mind  in  the  solitude 
of  his  own  quiet  reflection,  upon  the  future  destiny  of  millions  of  the 
hnman  race.  I  would  have  that  idea  clearly,  distinctly  and  luminously 
brought  out,  with  all  its  accessories  of  time,  place  and  circumstance — 
witness  its  growth,  development  and  expansion,  as  well  amid  the 
storms  and  ttmpestsof  adversity  as  under  the  bright  sunshine  of  pros- 
perity, and  be  admitted  into  the  very  inner  penetralia  of  the  sanctuary 
from  whence  it  sprung  as  a  bright  reflection  of  that  higher  truth  whose 
dwelling-place  is  with  the  Eternal  Majesty.  This  is  my  conception  of 
the  work  you  have  in  hand.  You  must  endeavor  to  divest  yourself, 
as  far  as  you  can,  of  all  sectarian  feeling,  and  study  and  portray  the 
illustrious  figure  before  you  in  the  spirit  of  a  cosmopolite,  ever  keep- 
ing in  view  the  undoubted  fact,  that  however  great  may  have  been  the 
measure  of  light  and  of  truth  vouchsafed  to  George  Fox,  William 
Penn,  and  their  fellow-laborers  in  the  same  vineyard,  it  is  but  a  feeble 
glimmer  in  comparison  with  that  full  and  perfect  revelation  which  has 
been  reserved  for  that  coming  day  when, 

« *     *     *     throned  on  Zion's  brow 
The  soul  shall  rend  the  vail  away 
That  blinds  the  .Nations  now." 

"  You  cannot  gratify  me  more  than  by  transmitting  to  me  a  copy  of 
your  manuscript  as  you  progress  in  your  undertaking;  and  in  return  I 
will  make,  from  time  to  time,  such  suggestions  as  may  occur  to  me. 
It  is  very  doubtful  whether  I  shall  be  able  to  attend  the  National  Edu- 
cational Convention  at  Philadelphia,  in  August.  Should  I  do  so,  how- 
ever, I  will  apprise  you.  Your  defence  has  been  very  generally 
admired  in  this  quarter.     It  is  just  what  it  should  have  been  and  what 


no  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

was  expected  of  its  author.  •  There's  a  good  time  coming '  in  Vir- 
ginia. I  congratulate  you  on  your  escape  from  the  toils  of  the 
hunters. 

"  With  my  own  and  Mrs.  R.'s  kindest  regards  to  all  our  friends  at 
Springdale,  I  remain  yours. 

S.  S.  Randall." 


On  receiving  this  letter,  I  determined  to  go  forward,  in 
good  earnest,  with  the  book,  and  accordingly  went  to  Phil- 
adelphia to  seek  for  the  materials.  My  friends  in  that  city 
manifested  a  lively  interest  in  my  undertaking,  and  through 
their  assistance  I  obtained  access  to  materials  unexpectedly 
rich  and  abundant,  which  I  have  acknowledged  in  the 
preface  to  the  work. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  Sixth  month,  1851, 1  spent  about 
a  week  in  Albany  with  my  friend  S.  S.  Randall,  revising 
my  book  and  preparing  it  for  the  press.  I  found  him  an 
excellent  critic,  and  I  look  back  with  pleasure  on  the  time 
spent  with  him  in  discussing  the  many  interesting  inci- 
dents connected  with  the  life  of  Penn. 

On  my  way  home  I  stopped  in  Philadelphia  to  make 
arrangements  for  publishing  the  work.  A  large  number  of 
subscribers  having  been  obtained,  I  agreed  with  Hogan  & 
Thompson  to  print  for  me  one  thousand  copies  to  supply 
subscribers,  and  one  thousand  for  their  own  sales,  on  which 
they  were  to  pay  me  twenty-five  cents  each  for  copy-right. 

The  favor  with  which  the  book  was  received  far  exceeded 
my  expectations.  From  the  press  it  met  with  encouraging 
commendation ;  and  the  first  edition  being  quickly  ex- 
hausted, I  had  it  stereotyped,  after  correcting  some  errors, 
mostly  typographical,  that  had  been  found  in  the  first 
edition. 


CHAPTER   XII. 
1851. 

He  obtains  a  minute  to  attend  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  Genesee 
Yearly  Meetings,  with  some  of  the  meetings  composing  them — Some 
account  of  his  religious  exercises  while  on  this  journey — Proposi- 
tion brought  to  Yearly  Meeting  for  an  equitable  division  of  prop- 
erty held  by  our  branch  of  the  Society — Not  then  carried,  but 
adopted  in  1864 — Hopes  entertained  of  a  more  cordial  feeling  be- 
tween the  two  branches — Accepts  an  invitation  to  visit  Thomas 
Evans  of  Philadelphia,  who  expressed  himself  satisfied  with  the 
Life  of  Penn — At  his  request  adds  some  doctrinal  matter  in  the  next 
edition — Letters  to  Caleb  Carmalt — Letters  to  S.  S.  Randall  and 
Jane  Johnson  on  the  Life  of  Geo.  Fox. 

In  the  Fourth  month,  1851,  accompanied  by  my  friend 
William  Tate,  I  left  home  in  order  to  attend  the  Yearly 
Meetings  of  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  Genesee,  with 
some  of  the  meetings  composing  them.  This  service  I 
had  long  had  in  prospect,  and  believing  that  the  time  was 
come  for  its  performance,  I  resigned  myself  to  the  Divine 
requisition,  with  full  assurance  that  the  Heavenly  Shepherd 
would  lead  me  in  the  path  of  duty. 

On  the  28th  and  29th  of  Fourth  month  we  attended  Con- 
cord Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Wilmington,  and  in  the 
evening  I  had  an  appointed  meeting  for  the  inhabitants  of 
that  city.  In  the  Quarterly  Meeting  I  found  some  open- 
ness for  religious  labor,  which  was  well  received  by  the 
Friends  present.  The  evening  meeting  was  tolerably  well 
attended,  and  for  a  considerable  time  I  saw  nothing  to  do 
but  set  an  example  of  silent  waiting  upon  God.  At  length 
light  sprung  up,  and  I  was  enabled  to  preach  the  gospel 
(in) 


ii2  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

with  a  heartfelt  assurance  that  the  great  Teacher  and  Leader 
of  his  people  was  near  us. 

Sixth-day,  ist  of  fifth  month. -We  attended  Marlborough, 
a  branch  of  Kennett  Monthly  Meeting.  After  a  season  of 
patient  waiting,  I  was  enabled  to  supplicate  the  Father  of 
mercies  to  open  our  understandings,  to  make  us  acquainted 
with  His  will,  and  to  give  us  ability  to  perform  it.  Then 
the  nature  of  true  spiritual  religion  was  brought  before  the 
view  of  my  mind,  and  I  arose  with  the  expression  of  the 
sentiment,  that  notwithstanding  the  variety  of  opinions 
and  speculations  concerning  it,  there  is  but  one  true  reli- 
gion, which  is  that  of  the  heart — a  religion  that  none  but 
God  himself  can  teach ;  for  all  our  efforts  without  His 
enlightening  spirit  of  grace  can  never  make  us  acquainted 
with  His  kingdom.  This  holy  religion  of  Christ  is  the 
life  of  God  in  the  soul  of  man ;  it  must  be  received  with 
humility  and  childlike  simplicity;  and  as  we  abide  under 
his  teaching,  our  spiritual  senses  will  be  opened  to  "  discern 
betwixt  good  and  evil,"  our  evil  propensities  will  be  over- 
come, pure  principles,  holy  desires  and  heavenly  affections 
will  be  given  to  us,  and  we  shall  thus  become  "partakers 
of  the  Divine  nature"  through  faith  and  obedience.  This 
spiritual  religion  will  show  itself  by  its  blessed  fruits  in  our 
life  and  conversation,  and  the  world  will  acknowledge  that 
we  "  have  been  with  Jesus."  True  religion  is  modest  and 
unobtrusive,  but  firm,  consistent  and  persevering ;  it  is  not 
like  the  mountain  torrent  which  rushes  on  its  way  with 
noise  and  tumult,  but  like  the  gentle  brook  which  glides 
through  the  meadows  and  makes  its  presence  known  by 
the  freshness  and  verdure  it  imparts. 

After  attending  a  number  of  meetings  in  Pennsylvania 
and  New  Jersey,  we  came  to  Philadelphia,  in  order  to 
attend  the  Yearly  Meeting.     On  7th  day,  Fifth  month  1  ith, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  113 

the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  was  held  at 
Cherry  street  house.  In  the  morning  I  was  silent,  but 
many  others  spoke.  In  the  afternoon,  towards  the  close, 
I  found  an  opening  for  some  religious  service. 

First-day. — The  morning  meeting  at  Cherry  street  was 
very  large,  the  house  being  crowded,  hundreds  standing  in 
the  yard.  I  went  to  the  meeting  under  much  religious 
exercise,  and  stood  up  pretty  early,  being  pressed  in  spirit 
to  call  the  attention  of  the  people  to  the  manifestation  of 
God  in  the  flesh,  not  only  as  it  took  place  in  the  person 
of  the  Messiah,  but  as  a  present  Saviour,  who  now  comes 
to  save  us  by  his  Spirit  of  Truth  immediately  revealed  to 
the  souls  of  his  obedient,  dedicated  servants.  He  saves 
us  by  "  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  renewing  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,"  and  not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we 
have  done;  for  good  works  are  the  result  of  salvation,  not 
the  cause  of  it.  They  are  the  fruits  which  are  borne  by 
the  holy  principles  of  righteousness  engrafted  into  the  soul 
by  Divine  grace  and  love.  Salvation  is  by  faith ;  but  faith 
must  have  an  object,  and  its  proper  object  is  the  presence 
and  power  of  God  as  a  spiritual  deliverer  from  the  bondage 
of  sin.  The  coming  of  Christ  in  the  person  of  Jesus  was 
a  wonderful  instance  of  the  mercy  of  God,  and  has  wrought 
a  vast  change  in  the  world,  but  it  has  made  no  change  in 
the  will  or  purposes  of  God,  who  has  always  loved  man- 
kind ;  for  God  was  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself.  The  blood  of  Christ  which  saves  and  washes 
from  the  defilement  of  sin,  is  his  life,  being  the  life  of  God 
in  the  soul  of  man. 

Several  communications  followed  from  other  ministers, 
and  the  meeting  closed  well. 

In  the  afternoon  we  attended  Green  street  meeting,  where 
I  was  silent  except  a  few  words  near  the  close,  to  show  the 

8 


ii4  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

excellency  of  true  spiritual  worship,  which  is  the  Sabbath 
of  the  soul. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  opened  on  Second-day,  during  which 
and  the  two  succeeding  days  the  usual  business  was  trans- 
acted, and  much  interesting  discussion  took  place. 

On  Fifth-day,  in  the  afternoon,  the  Minutes  of  the  Meet- 
ing for  Sufferings,  or  Representative  Committee,  were  read, 
by  which  it  appeared  that  some  attention  had  been  given 
to  the  subject  of  slavery.  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  open  some 
views  upon  the  subject,  encouraging  Friends  to  be  faithful 
to  every  clear  opening  of  duty,  keeping  under  the  influ- 
ence of  the  meek,  lamb-like  spirit  of  Christ,  and  avoiding 
the  excitement  of  passion,  which  too  often  hurries  the 
unwary  into  rash  and  improper  measures.  I  stated  that  the 
bounds  of  an  excellent  discipline  allowed  me  sufficient 
liberty  to  labor  in  this  important  cause,  and  I  desired  that 
we  might  all  be  careful  to  observe  its  limitations.  My 
views  were  responded  to  by  several  on  both  sides ;  for  on 
this  question  there  are,  unhappily,  two  sides  or  parties, 
even  among  Friends ;  both  of  them,  I  think,  are  sincerely 
desirous  of  promoting  our  testimony  against  slavery,  but 
they  differ  as  to  the  means  of  advancing  it. 

The  meeting  appeared  to  enter  into  deep  feeling  on  the 
subject,  and  closed  with  a  precious  solemnity. 

Having  felt  it  my  duty  to  appoint  a  meeting  in  the  city, 
I  consulted  the  elders,  and  proposed  to  them  to  invite 
Priscilla  Cadwallader  to  join  in  the  appointment,  if  she 
felt  free  to  do  so,  which,  meeting  her  approbation,  it  was 
announced,  at  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  to  take 
place  the  next  day  (the  7th  of  the  Aveek)  at  10  A.  M. 
The  meeting  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse,  mostly 
Friends.  I  found  it  my  duty  in  the  early  part  of  the  meet- 
ing to  make  a  brief  communication,  which  was  followed 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  115 

by  an  extended  and  able  discourse  from  Priscilla,  accom- 
panied, as  I  thought,  by  Divine  unction,  and  I  felt  thank- 
ful that  I  was  instrumental  to  open  the  way  for  her,  espe- 
cially as  her  lips  had  not  been  opened  in  ministry  during 
the  whole  ot  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

Trenton,  N.  J.,  Fifth  month  23d,  1851. — After  attending 
nine  meetings  in  Bucks  county,  we  arrived  here,  and  held 
an  appointed  meeting  last  night.  Yesterday,  at  Fallsing- 
ton,  near  the  close  of  my  discourse,  I  made  a  mistake  in 
a  Scripture  quotation,  which  was  instantly  corrected  by 
my  dear  old  friend  Samuel  Comfort,  who  sat  near  me ;  I 
accepted  the  correction,  repeated  the  text  verbatim,  and 
went  on  with  my  discourse.  This  mistake  brought  me  under 
great  humiliation,  for  it  arose  from  un watchfulness;  but 
the  meeting  ended  well. 

I  went  to  the  meeting  in  Trenton  last  evening  in  a  state 
of  self-abasement,  and  being  enabled  to  dig  deeper  than 
usual,  the  well-spring  of  the  gospel  flowed  forth  abundantly, 
to  the  refreshment  of  my  own  soul  as  well  as  others  who 
were  present. 

New  York,  Seventh-day,  Fifth  month  24th. — We  at- 
tended to-day  two  sittings  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Minis- 
ters and  Elders.  I  was  silent  in  both,  but  several  others 
were  much  engaged  in  speaking  to  the  business  before  the 
meeting,  and  in  exhortation.         * 

First-day  morning. — At  Rose  street  public  meeting  for 
worship  there  was  a  great  concourse.  Soon  after  the  meet- 
ing became  settled,  I  felt  drawn  into  religious  exercise, 
and  after  calling  the  attention  of  the  people  to  that  inward 
spiritual  worship  by  which  we  draw  nigh  unto  God  for  the 
renewal  of  our  strength,  I  was  led  to  speak  on  the  nature 
of  Christ's  kingdom  and  the  object  or  end  of  the  Messiah's 
advent,  showing  that  it  was  not  intended  to  produce  any 


n6  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

change  in  the  disposition  of  our  Heavenly  Father  towards 
man,  but  a  change  in  man,  whereby  he  may  become  rec- 
onciled to  God  and  a  partaker  of  the  Divine  nature.  Sev- 
eral other  communications  followed,  and  it  was  a  favored 
meeting. 

In  the  afternoon  I  attended  meeting  at  Hester  street 
house,  and  was  silent.  John  Hunt  was  much  exercised, 
and  I  thought  labored  effectually  in  the  ministry. 

Second-day,  Fifth  month  26th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  was 
opened ;  a  large  number  of  ministers  from  other  Yearly 
Meetings  being  in  attendance.  Much  excellent  advice  was 
given,,  and  a  good  feeling  pervaded  the  meeting.  Some 
allusions  having  been  made  to  the  relation  in  which  we 
stand  towards  the  civil  government,  and  more  especially 
to  the  countenance  and  support  given  to  war  and  slavery, 
I  felt  called  to  give  my  views,  in  substance  as  follows : — 

The  form  of  government  under  which  we  live  is  the  best 
and  most  liberal  now  existing  in  the  world,  and  is  probably 
as  good  as  the  people  of  this  country  are  capable  of  sup- 
porting. We  ought  to  be  thankful  that  we  are  not  subject 
to  ecclesiastical  tyranny,  nor  subjected  to  much  suffering 
for  our  testimonies,  as  our  forefathers  were,  and  as  we 
should  be  now  in  any  other  country.  Nevertheless,  our 
government  is  not  conducted  on  Christian  principles;  it 
is  not  only  supported  by  the  sword,  but  assists  to  hold  in 
bondage  millions  of  our  fellow-creatures,  who  are  kept  in 
ignorance  and  degradation.  We  should  endeavor  to  love 
and  feel  for  all  men,  not  only  for  the  oppressed,  but  the 
oppressor,  whose  happiness  is  impaired  by  his  position, 
and  when  we  desire  the  release  of  his  victim,  it  is  to  pro- 
mote the  welfare  of  both.  The  purposes  of  Divine 
Providence  are  often  achieved  by  means  inscrutable  to 
man ;  we  can  only  promote  them  by  acting  in  obedience 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  117 

to  His  will  and  under  the  influence  of  His  spirit.  As  we 
abide  under  His  law,  which  is  above  all  human  laws,  we 
may  become  instrumental  in  exalting  the  standard  of  right- 
eousness and  improving  the  moral  condition  of  society, 
which  will  lead  to  the  correction  of  abuses  and  the  amelio- 
ration of  civil  laws.  We  must  not  resist  the  laws  of  the 
land,  nor  advise  others  to  resist  them;  neither  can  we 
assist  to  put  in  force  a-  law  which  is  inconsistent  with  our 
religious  principles,  but  like  the  primitive  Christians  and 
early  Friends,  we  must  be  willing  to  suffer  patiently  the 
penalties  inflicted  for  our  non-compliance,  which  will  spread 
the  knowledge  of  the  Truth  and  the  principles  we  profess. 
The  triumphs  of  Christianity  have  never  been  achieved  by 
violence,  but  by  the  patient  sufferings  of  the  faithful,  and 
we  should  remember  that  the  disciples  of  the  Saviour  have 
ever  been  led  by  that  spirit  which  "takes  its  kingdom  by 
entreaty,  and  keeps  it  by  lowliness  of  mind." 

After  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  I  attended  a  meet- 
ing appointed  for  me  at  Hester  street.  It  was  attended  by 
many,  and  I  was  favored  with  ability  to  labor  "in  word 
and  doctrine,"  much  to  my  own  peace  of  mind.  The 
principal  subject  of  the  discourse  was  the  omnipresence  of 
God,  and  the  influence  of  His  spirit  on  the  human  soul, 
impressing  us,  even  in  early  youth,  with  a  sense  of  good 
and  a  desire  for  holiness,  and  when  we  transgress,  bring- 
ing us  into  condemnation  for  sin.  The  nature  of  salva- 
tion was  also  touched  upon,  showing  that  it  is  the  work  of 
God  in  the  soul,  the  subjection  of  our  wills  to  His  will, 
the  suppression  of  our  evil  propensities,  and  the  bringing 
forth  in  us  of  those  pure  and  holy  principles  which  are  the 
fruits  of  the  Spirit.  It  is  the  life  of  Christ  or  power  of 
God  inwardly  revealed  that  saves  from  sin ;  nevertheless, 
we  should  not  lightly  esteem  or  derogate  from  the  value  of 


n8  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

that  wonderful  display  of  Divine  power  and  goodness  in 
the  person  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  highest  and  best  of  all  the 
sons  of  God.  He  did  not  sin,  but  dwelt  in  the  Divine 
presence  continually ;  the  works  that  he  did  were  through 
the  power  of  his  Father  that  dwelt  in  him ;  he  is  called  by 
the  apostle  the  first  born  among  many  brethren ;  and  he 
said  himself,  after  his  resurrection,  "  Go  and  say  to  my 
brethren,  I  ascend  to  my  Father  and  your  Father,  to  my 
God  and  your  God." 

Leaving  the  city  of  New  York,  we  proceeded  to  Duchess 
County,  and  attended  some  meetings,  one  of  which  was 
held  at  Stanford,  We  were  accompanied  by  John  Wine,  a 
minister  in  good  esteem,  who  for  some  years  had  seldom 
appeared  in  that  service.  I  told  him,  before  meeting,  I 
should  be  glad  if  the  Master  would  lay  on  him  the  service 
of  that  meeting,  which  proved  to  be  the  case.  We  sat,  I 
think,  nearly  an  hour  in  silence,  during  which  I  saw  nothing 
for  me  to  do — not  the  least  opening  of  life,  but  a  state  of 
patient  waiting  upon  God.  John  then  arose,  and  delivered 
a  lively  and  edifying  discourse,  which  though  brief,  was 
sufficient  to  bring  the  meeting  into  a  feeling  of  solemnity. 
I  felt  it  right,  in  a  few  words,  to  express  the  feelings  that 
attended  my  mind, — that  c '  the  Lord  might  send  by  whom 
he  would  send;"  for  He  alone  can  call  and  qualify  His 
instruments  and  render  their  labor  effective. 

In  the  Sixth  month  we  attended  Genesee  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, held  at  North  Farmington.  On  First-day  morning 
the  meeting  was  very  large.  After  a  brief  but  pertinent 
communication  from  Eleazer  Haviland  and  a  few  words 
from  Justus  Wright,  I  found  it  my  place  to  rise  and  bear 
testimony  to  the  universal  love  of  God  to  the  human 
family.  I  adverted  to  the  language  of  Moses  to  the 
Israelites :   "I  have  set  before  you  life  and  death,  blessing 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  119 

and  cursing;  therefore  choose  life." — Deut.  xxx.  19. 
The  power  of  choice  is  conferred  upon  us,  of  which  we 
are  all  conscious,  and  therefore  responsible  for  our  devia- 
tions from  the  Divine  law  revealed  in  our  hearts.  This 
law  was  made  known  to  Adam,  and  the  consequence  of 
transgression  was  pointed  out  when  the  Most  High 
said  to  him  "  In  the  day  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt 
surely  die  ;" — a  prediction  that  was  exactly  fulfilled.  The 
penalty  thus  denounced  against  sin  was  not  the  death 
of  the  body,  for  he  did  not  then  die  as  to  the  body ;  but 
he  experienced  a  separation  from  the  source  of  life — he 
became  "carnally-minded,"  which  is  death;  he  was  like 
a  withered  branch,  ready  to  be  cut  off.  In  this  state  he 
was  not  permitted  to  partake  of  the  tree  of  life, — that  is  to 
hold  sweet  communion  with  his  Heavenly  Father;  for 
having  lost  his  innocence,  he  was  cast  out  of  Eden,  the 
garden  of  God,  and  it  was  an  evidence  of  Divine  mercy 
that  he  was  not  permitted  to  enjoy  peace  of  mind  while  in 
this  condition,  lest  he  should  continue  in  it,  and  remain  an 
"alien  from  his  Father's  house.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  his 
unspeakable  gift,  he  does  not  permit  man  to  remain  in  this 
state  without  "  the  reproofs  of  instruction,  which  are  the 
way  of  life."  He  visits  us  with  the  powerful  convictions 
of  truth,  even  as  the  prodigal,  when  he  had  wandered  far 
from  his  father's  house  and  spent  his  substance  in  riotous 
living,  was  visited  by  Divine  grace,  and  was  enabled  to  see 
that  neither  the  gratification  of  sensual  appetites,  nor  the 
husks  of  an  empty  profession,  could  satisfy  the  longings  of 
an  immortal  spirit  that  was  formed  for  heavenly  joy.  But 
when  he  came  to  himself, — saw  himself  as  he  really  was — 
and  was  willing  to  return  in  a  state  of  humility  and  con- 
trition, the  father  was  ready  to  receive  with  open  arms  the 
repenting  sinner  :   He  did  not  stand  off  in  high  displeasure, 


1 20  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

nor  require  the  obedient  son,  who  had  remained  at  home, 
to  suffer  the  penalty  of  his  brother's  transgression.  No  ; 
he  required  no  vicarious  sacrifice.  The  reconciliation  was 
already  made  when  the  prodigal  repented  and  returned, 
humbly  desiring  the  lowest  place  in  the  father's  house. 
The  atonement  consists  in  man  being  reconciled  to  God, 
by  a  change  of  heart,  which  is  the  work  of  Christ  in  us,  for 
"  Not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we  have  done,  but 
according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us  by  the  washing  of, 
regeneration  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  which  he 
shed  on  us  abundantly  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour, 
that,  being  justified  by  his  grace,  we  should  be  made  heirs 
according  to  the  hope  of  eternal  life." — Titus  iii.  5. 

Just  before  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  Caleb 
Carmalt,  the  clerk,  addressed  the  meeting  in  a  feeling  and 
impressive  manner  concerning  the  divisions  which  have 
taken  place  among  Friends,  by  which  the  Society  is  now 
severed  into  two  distinct  bodies,  each  of  which  has  been 
weakened  by  smaller  subdivisions.  He  showed  that  the 
fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Society,  the  immediate  opera- 
tion of  the  Divine  principle  in  man,  is  held  by  both  of  the 
two  main  bodies,  and  that  the  testimonies  we  bear  are  the 
same,  and  he  pointed  to  the  necessity  of  reunion,  in  order 
that  our  influence  in  promoting  the  great  cause  of  truth 
and  righteousness  may  be  effectual  in  the  world. 

His  views  were  so  entirely  in  accordance  with  my  own, 
that  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  express  my  concurrence,  and  to 
extend  the  subject  further  by  a  more  direct  reference  to 
our  duty  in  the  case,  which  is  to  live  near  the  Divine  prin- 
ciple in  ourselves,  to  evince  by  our  life  and  conversation 
that  we  are  the  disciples  of  Christ,  to  cherish  kind  feelings 
towards  those  of  our  brethren  who  are  separated  from  us, 
and  to  embrace  every  opening  to  remove  the  obstructions 
that  prevent  a  reunion. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  121 

After  attending  meetings  at  Wheatland  and  Mendon,  we 
came  to  Rochester,  where  we  had  an  appointed  meeting  on 
First-day  afternoon.  Soon  after  the  meeting  assembled, 
my  mind  was  impressed  with  the  query,  What  is  the  pur- 
pose or  intention  of  meeting  for  Divine  worship  ?  Do  we 
suppose  we  can  contribute  anything  to  the  happiness  of  the 
Deity  or  augment  His  glory?  No,  this  cannot  be;  for  He 
is  perfectly  happy  in  Himself  and  infinitely  glorious.  We 
may  indeed  become  instrumental  in  spreading  among  men 
the  knowledge  of  His  glory,  but  we  can,  in  reality,  add 
nothing  to  it,  nor  can  we  suppose  His  favor  is  to  be  gained 
by  lifeless  ceremonies  or  empty  praise ;  for  He  is  not  like 
man,  to  be  influenced  by  adulation.  The  object  to  be 
sought  for  in  Divine  worship  is  forcibly  stated  by  the 
Apostle  Paul  in  his  address  to  the  Athenians  :  "  That  they 
should  seek  the  Lord,  if  haply  they  might  feel  after  Him 
and  find  Him,  though  He  be  not  far  from  every  one  of  us, 
for  in  Him  we  live  and  move  and  have  our  being."  How 
appropriate,  therefore,  is  a  state  of  solemn  silence,  in 
which  the  mind,  being  withdrawn  from  all  temporal  con- 
cerns, is  engaged  in  secret  prayer  or  reverent  waiting  upon 
God.  In  this  frame  of  mind,  He  opens  to  us  our  own 
states  and  conditions,  by  the  influence  of  His  Holy  Spirit, 
when,  being  brought  into  humility  and  contrition,  we  are 
enabled,  from  a  sense  of  our  wants,  to  ask  of  Him  light  to 
guide  us  in  the  paths  of  duty,  and  strength  to  perform  all 
that  He  requires  of  us.  As  we  are  thus  engaged  in  waiting 
upon  Him,  we  are  brought  under  the  influence  of  His  holy 
law,  inwardly  revealed — "the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in 
Christ  Jesus," — and  as  we  continue  in  obedience  to  this 
law,  the  animal  nature  is  subjected  to  the  spiritual ;  the 
appetites,  passions  and  desires  are  brought  under  Divine 
government,  we  are  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corrup- 


122  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

tion,  and  introduced  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  God.  This  is  salvation :  a  deliverance 
not  only  from  the  guilt  and  punishment  of  sin,  but  from 
the  dominion  of  evil ;  and  no  other  power  but  the  spirit 
of  Christ  can  effect  this  great  work  for  us.  There  never 
has  been,  nor  can  there  be,  any  other  Saviour  of  men  than 
God  Himself,  as  he  has  said,  by  the  mouth  of  his  prophet, 
"I,  even  I,  am  the  Lord,  and  besides  me  there  is  no 
Saviour." — Isa.  xliii.  n.  Jesus  was  called  the  Saviour, 
because  in  him  was  a  full  manifestation  of  the  one  eternal, 
Omnipresent  power.  His  word  or  spirit  has  in  all  ages 
operated  upon  man.  He  taught  our  first  parents  in  Eden  ; 
He  strove  with  the  antediluvian  world,  even  when  far 
advanced  in  wickedness ;  He  appeared  in  the  patriarchs, 
and  instructed  the  prophets,  for  "  they  prophesied  before- 
hand of  the  sufferings  of  Christ  and  the  glory  that  should 
follow,  through  the  Spirit  of  Christ  that  was  in  them." 
The  most  full  and  perfect  of  His  manifestations  to  man  was 
in  the  person  of  Jesus,  the  Son  and  sent  of  God,  who  did 
no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth;  who  lived  in 
entire  obedience  to  the  Divine  will,  for  he  declared,-  "  I 
can  of  my  own  self  do  nothing,  as  I  hear  I  judge,  and  my 
judgment  is  just  because  I  do  the  will  of  Him  that  sent 
me." 

It  may  be  asked,  and  I  have  no  doubt  is  asked,  "  Have 
the  sufferings  and  outward  sacrifice  of  Christ  done  nothing 
for  us?"  Did  he  not  suffer  for  us,  according  to  the  Scrip- 
tures? Undoubtedly  he  "suffered  for  us,  leaving  us  an 
example  that  we  should  follow  his  steps." — Peter  ii.  21. 
We  believe  what  is  written  concerning  him  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, the  best  of  all  books,  and  we  there  find  it  recorded 
as  his  own  language,  "  To  this  end  was  I  born,  and  for  this 
cause  came  I  into  the  world,  that  I  should  bear  witness  unto 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  123 

the  Truth."  John  xviii.  37.  Now,  it  is  evident  he  could  not 
bear  witness  to  the  truth  among  that  wicked  and  perverse 
people  without  suffering  for  it ;  therefore  he  submitted  to 
it,  and  his  sufferings  have  been  instrumental  in  effecting  a 
mighty  change  in  the  condition  of  millions  of  the  human 
family.  Nothing  is  so  well  calculated  to  soften  and  subdue 
the  obdurate  heart  as  a  realizing  sense  of  the  Saviour's  suf- 
ferings for  the  cause  of  Truth.  But  no  change  was  wrought 
in  the  Deity  by  the  sufferings  of  Christ ;  His  will  and  His 
purposes  have  been  always  the  same,  and  always  right. 

The  atonement  or  reconciliation  consists  in  a  change 
being  wrought  in  man  by  which  he  is  brought  into  unity 
with  God,  agreeably  to  the  declaration  of  Paul:  "God 
was  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself. 
We  pray  you  therefore  as  ambassadors  for  Christ,  be  ye 
reconciled  to  God. "  When  we  become  thus  reconciled  by 
a  change  of  heart,  we  shall  show  forth  in  life  and  conversa- 
tion the  fruits  of  the  spirit  which  are  meekness,  patience, 
temperance,  brotherly  kindness  and  charity.  These  blessed 
fruits  have,  in  all  ages,  been  manifested  by  those  who  came 
under  the  Divine  government,  and  whenever  it  shall  pre- 
vail in  the  hearts  of  mankind  it  will  put  an  end  to  strife, 
contention  and  oppression.  War  and  slavery  spring  from 
the  unrestrained  passions  of  men,  and  the  only  power  that 
can  effectually  subdue  them  is  that  which  comes  from  God ; 
acts  immediately  upon  the  soul,  and  bears  witness  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people  when  the  truth  is  spoken 

These  were  the  principal  topics  touched  upon,  so  far  as 
I  can  remember.  A  feeling  of  deep  solemnity  pervaded 
the  meeting,  and  after  taking  my  seat  I  rose  again  to  make 
a  few  observations  on  the  subject  of  prayer.  This  is  the 
most  solemn  and  important  of  all  our  duties,  and  can  only 
be  performed  aright  as  we  wait  upon  God  and  receive  from 


1 24  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Him  a  knowledge  of  our  condition  and  a  sense  of  our 
wants.  We  are  then  enabled  to  ask  for  food  convenient 
for  us,  which  will  be  given  to  us  in  due  season,  for  He 
grants  the  prayer  that  is  made  according  to  His  will.  As 
the  little  child  looks  to  its  parent  for  food,  and  is  prompted 
by  hunger  to  ask  for  it,  so  the  soul  that  is  born  again  of 
the  Spirit  and  brought  into  a  state  of  humble,  childlike 
obedience,  cries  to  our  Heavenly  Father  for  spiritual  bread, 
and  the  spontaneous  breathing  of  the  soul  thus  poured 
forth,  is  acceptable  in  the  Divine  sight.  If  our  Lord  and 
Master  found  it  proper  for  him  to  withdraw  from  the 
haunts  of  men  to  hold  communion  with  his  Heavenly 
Father  and  offer  up  supplications  to  Him,  how  much  more 
is  it  needful  for  us,  who  are  compassed  about  with  infirmi- 
ties, to  watch  unto  prayer  and  seek  for  continual  supplies 
of  light  and  strength  from  on  high. 

Such  was  the  substance  of  my  exercises  in  this  meeting. 
It  was  to  me  a  memorable  time,  being  crowned  with  a 
degree  of  life  and  power  that  I  have  seldom  experienced. 
After  the  close  of  the  meeting  we  were  informed  that  most 
of  the  Congregational  Friends  who  have  separated  from  our 
Society  in  Rochester  were  present,  as  well  as  many  of  the 
Orthodox  Friends  who  hold  a  meeting  in  this  city.  Some 
of  the  members  of  both  these  sections  expressed  their  con- 
currence with  the  views  held  forth,  so  that  extremes  seemed 
to  meet  under  the  cementing  influence  of  Divine  love,  and 
I  felt  truly  thankful  to  the  Author  of  all  good.  After 
attending  meetings  at  Waterloo  and  Scipio,  we  came  to 
Albany  and  attended  Friends'  Meeting  on  Fifth  day,  which 
was  to  me  a  comfortable  opportunity,  being  spent  for  the 
most  part  in  silence,  but  towards  the  close  I  felt  called  to 
offer  a  brief  exhortation.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  in  the 
same  city,  soon  after  taking  my  seat,  a  passage  in  the  First 


Memoirs  of  S.imuel  M.  Janney.  125 

Epistle  of  Paul  to  the  Corinthians  (Chap.  iii.  18.)  was 
revived  in  my  mind.  "  If  any  man  among  you  seemeth  to 
be  wise  in  this  world  let  him  become  a  fool  that  he  may  be 
wise,  for  the  wisdom  of  this  world  is  foolishness  with  God." 

From  this  I  was  led  to  show  that  we  must  cease  to  rely 
upon  our  own  wisdom,  that  which  stands  in  mere  scholar- 
ship or  intellectual  attainment — and  come  into  the  child- 
like state  of  humble  docility,  willing  and  desirous  to  be 
taught  of  God  who  makes  known  His  law  in  the  secret  of 
the  heart — the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus. 

How  beautiful  is  the  simplicity  of  the  Gospel ;  how  ad- 
mirably adapted  to  all  conditions,  requiring  on  our  part 
only  simplicity  of  heart  and  unreserved  obedience.  By 
means  of  this  holy  power  revealed  in  the  soul,  the  natural 
man  is  brought  into  subjection  to  the  spiritual — we  are 
made  partakers  of  the  Divine  Nature,  not  by  imputation 
but  by  transformation ;  then  the  reconciliation  or  atone- 
ment is  effected,  which  is  a  work  of  God  in  man  through 
the  revelation  of  Christ  in  us  the  hope  of  glory. 

On  the  8th  of  Seventh  month  I  arrived  at  home  and 
found  my  family  well,  for  which  blessing  I  was  thankful  to 
the  Author  of  all  good,  and  in  the  retrospect  of  my  jour- 
ney I  felt  peace  of  mind. 

After  my  return  Caleb  Carmalt  wrote  to  me  in  reference 
to  the  views  he  had  expressed  at  Genesee  Yearly  Meeting 
(and  which  were  seconded  by  myself)  in  relation  to  the 
separation  in  the  Society  of  Friends  and  the  desirableness 
of  a  re-union.  I  replied,  under  date  Seventh  Month,  20th, 
1 85 1,  as  follows  : 

"  I  often  think  of  the  views  opened  by  thee  and  seconded 
by  myself  at  the  close  of  your  Yearly  Meeting,  and  the 
query  rises  in  my  mind,  what  can  we  do  to  promote  so 
desirable  a  result  as  the  re-union  of  the  scattered  fragments 


126  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

of  this  once  favored  Society?  The  answer  seems  to  be  that 
in  our  own  wisdom  and  strength  we  can  do  nothing,  but 
through  Divine  aid,  when  properly  called  and  qualified,  we 
may  do  much.  The  most  important  point  is  for  us  to  live 
near  the  Divine  Power,  who  will  enable  us  to  preach  by 
example,  and  will  open  a  way  for  us  in  the  hearts  of  others 
when  he  calls  us  to  labor  in  His  vineyard.  There  is  far  too 
much  reliance  upon  mere  dogma  and  too  little  upon  the 
indwelling  of  Christ,  even  among  us,  who  profess  a  spiritual 
religion.  The  freedom  of  thought  and  expression  prevail- 
ing among  us  has  sometimes  been  attended  by  the  promul- 
gation of  views  that  shock  the  feelings  of  pious  minds  in 
other  churches.  Some  of  these  liberal  views,  as  they  are 
called,  are  erroneous;  others  have  truth  in  them,  but  so 
unguardedly  expressed  as  to  pass  for  error  with  many  who 
might  otherwise  receive  them.  I  think  the  views  we  hold, 
if  properly  elucidated,  would  find  an  opening  in  the  minds 
of  many,  for  there  is  a  spirit  of  inquiry  abroad  which  seems 
to  say :  Who  shall  show  us  any  good  ?  There  are  many 
among  our  Friends  in  the  several  Yearly  Meetings  who  are 
competent  to  be  useful  as  writers,  and  may  I  not  say  that 
thou  art  one  of  them? 

"  I  have  thought  a  series  of  essays  or  tracts  written  in  a 
style  to  interest  general  readers,  explanatory  of  our  princi- 
ples, and  interspersed  with  authentic  anecdotes  and  short 
narratives,  would  circulate  well  among  Friends  and  others. 
They  might  come  out  occasionally  or  periodically,  and 
subscriptions  could  be  obtained  to  promote  their  distribu- 
tion." 

In  a  subsequent  letter  to  the  same  friend,  I  wrote  as  fol- 
lows:  "As  to  the  're-union'  spoken  of  in  thy  letter,  I 
ardently  desire  it,  provided  it  can  be  obtained  without  a 
sacrifice  of  principle,  but  I  do  not  think  the  time  has  come 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  127 

for  a  direct  proposition  to  the  Orthodox  Friends.  There 
is  no  prospect  that  it  can  take  place  while  those  old  persons 
in  both  branches,  who  were  concerned  in  the  separation, 
are  living.  Some  of  the  Orthodox  Friends  hold  Trinita- 
rian doctrines,  and  think  none  can  be  saved  who  do  not 
believe  in  a  vicarious  atonement.  With  these  views  they 
cannot  coalesce  with  us.  I  am  therefore  of  opinion  that 
no  direct  approach  should  be  made  to  them  just  now,  ex- 
cept that  in  those  places  where  we  hold  the  property  of  the 
Society  owned  before  the  separation,  we  should  offer  them 
an  equitable  share  according  to  numbers. 

"At  our  last  Quarterly  Meeting  I  proposed  this  measure 
and  was  glad  to  hear  a  favorable  response  from  many  influ- 
ential •  members,  but  it  was  thought  best  for  the  Yearly 
Meeting  to  take  the  initiatory  steps.  There  is,  however, 
a  work  for  us  to  do  in  order  to  prepare  the  way  for  a  future 
re-union,  and  that  is  to  hold  up  the  doctrines  and  princi- 
ples of  the  Society  clearly  and  frankly,  not  blinking  those 
points  in  which  we  differ  from  the  Orthodox  Friends,  but 
showing  that  our  doctrines  are  sustained  by  the  Scriptures. 
In  order  to  make  our  essays  interesting,  I  would  propose 
that  we  should  sometimes  introduce  narratives  or  incidents 
from  the  lives  of  pious  persons  of  other  religious  denomina- 
tions, as  well  as  our  own." 

The  proposition  for  an  equitable  division  of  the  property 
held  by  our  branch  of  the  Society,  was  brought  before  Bal- 
timore Yearly  Meeting  in  the  year  1S52,  but  was  not  then 
carried,  owing  to  the  opposition  of  some  elderly  Friends. 
In  the  year  1864,  under  a  sense  of  religious  duty,  I  opened 
the  subject  again  in  Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting,  when  the 
proposition  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing year  it  was  carried  into  effect,  as  related  in  my  History 
of  the  Separation. 


128  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Jatiney. 

Soon  after  the  publication  of  my  "Life  of  William 
Perm,"  I  was  led  to  hope  that  its  cordial  reception  by  the 
Orthodox  Friends  and  the  esteem  they  manifested  for  me, 
would  enable  me  to  do  something  towards  promoting  a  re- 
union between  the  two  branches  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
I  felt  assured  that  the  obstacles  to  be  removed  existed 
mostly  with  them.  Our  branch  of  the  Society  had  for 
many  years  treated  them  as  Christian  brethren,  granting  to 
their  ministers  the  use  of  our  meeting-houses,  attending 
their  meetings  when  appointed  in  our  houses,  and  endeav- 
oring to  heal  the  wounds  inflicted  in  the  controversy  that 
attended  the  separation.  It  was  therefore  with  much  plea- 
sure that  I  accepted  an  invitation  from  Thomas  Evans,  one 
of  the  most  influential  of  their  ministers,  to  visit  him  at  his 
house  in  Philadelphia.  I  was  cordially  received,  and  we 
had  a  conversation  on  Christian  doctrines  that  was  very 
satisfactory  to  me.  His  chief  object  in  seeking  an  inter- 
view was  to  express  his  sentiments  in  relation  to  my  "  Life 
of  William  Penn."  According  to  my  recollection  of  his 
remarks,  he  said  the  book  was  so  good  that  he  felt  desirous 
that  it  should  be  made  better  by  giving  some  extracts  from 
the  writings  of  Penn  on  doctrinal  subjects.  He  proposed 
that  I  should  insert  a  passage  which  he  named  in  the 
"Sandy  Foundation  Shaken,"  an  extract  from  Penn's 
letter  to  Doctor  Collenger,  and  a  passage  from  the  Journal 
of  George  Fox  concerning  his  conversation  with  Priest  Ste- 
vens. I  told  him  I  would  examine  the  passages  and  would 
comply  with  his  request  if  I  found  it  right  to  do  so. 

The  result  of  my  examination  was  the  insertion  of  the 
extract  from  the  "Sandy  Foundation  Shaken,"  on  page  54 
of  the  stereotyped  edition  of  the  work. 

In  the  Sixth  month,  1852,  I  wrote  to  my  friend,  S.  S. 
Randall,  as  follows : 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  129 

"  In  my  last  letter  I  informed  thee  that  I  was  acting  in 
conformity  with  thy  suggestion  by  attempting  a  "  Life  of 
George  Fox,"  and  I  now  proceed  to  inflict  the  penalty  I 
threatened,  by  sending  for  thy  perusal  the  first  four  chapters 
of  it.  .  .  .  After  examining  them  please  say  whether 
in  thy  opinion  I  can  make  it  a  work  that  will  interest  gen- 
eral readers.  I  would  not  sacrifice  religious  principle  to 
popularity,  but  I  wish  to  make  it  interesting  in  order  that 
it  may  have  a  wider  scope  of  usefulness." 

Eighth  Month,  27th,  1853. 

"Jane  Johnson: — Esteemed  Friend.  *  *  *  The  work  (Life  of 
George  Fox)  on  which  I  have,  for  some  time  past,  been  assiduously 
engaged,  is  now  nearly  completed,  and  I  expect  to  come  to  Philadel- 
phiaearly  next  month  to  supei intend  the  stereotyping  of  it.  I  have  not 
usually  spoken  of  it  as  a  religious  concern,  being  careful  how  I  stamp 
my  undertakings  with  that  high  authority,  but  it  appeared  to  be  right  for 
me  to  begin  it,  and  I  have  endeavored,  while  engaged  in  it,  to  keep  my 
mind  turned  towards   Him  who  alone  can  enable  us  to  promote  the 

glorious  cause  of  righteousness  and  truth I  think  many 

Friends  unite  with  me  in  a  concern  that  the  valuable  treasures  locked 
up  in  the  writings  of  early  Friends,  may  become  better  known  to  the 
world.  They  are  like  ingots  of  gold  that  require  to  be  coined  in  order 
to  make  them  a  circulating  medium,  and  I  believe  there  are  many, 
not  of  our  Society,  who  are  prepared  to  appreciate  their  value. 
A  gift  in  the  ministry  I  esteem  a  higher  and  more  responsible  trust 
than  a  talent  for  writing,  but  both  should  be  held  in  subordination  to 
the  Spirit  of  Divine  Truth,  and  then  they  will  not  interfere  with  one 
another.  Having  given  up  my  school,  I  have  now  no  other  secular 
business  except  that  of  an  author,  and  I  wish  to  devote  the  remainder 
of  my  days  to  the  service  of  my  Gracious  Maker  and  Redeemer,  and 
to  seek  by  a  nearer  union  with  Him  for  a  qualification  to  do  His  work." 


CHAPTER     XIII. 

1854. 

Attends  Philadelphia  and  New  York  Yearly  Meetings,  and  some 
Meetings  belonging  to  them — Interviews  with  Richard  Mott  and 
Stephen  Grellet — Letter  to  Dillwyn  Parrish. 

Fourth  month,  29th,  left  home,  with  my  friend,  John 
Smith,  for  companion,  under  a  religious  concern  to  attend 
Philadelphia  and  New  York  Yearly  Meetings,  and  to 
appoint  some  meetings  within  their  limits. 

After  attending  Concord  Quarterly  Meeting,  we  pro- 
ceeded to  Abington  Quarter,  where  we  made  our  home 
with  our  dear  ancient  Friend,  Isaac  Parry,  whose  interesting 
and  instructive  conversation  has  contributed  much  to  our 
enjoyment. 

Fifth  month,  5th,  were  at  Thomas  Parry's,  and  went  from 
his  house  to  a  meeting  appointed  for  us  at  Friends'  meeting 
house  called  Warminster.  It  was  not  a  large  meeting,  but 
solemn  and  satisfactory. 

The  omnipresence  of  Deity,  not  merely  held  as  a  specu- 
lative opinion,  but  as  a  fact  made  known  by  religious 
experience,  was  the  principal  subject  on  which  I  felt  con- 
cerned to  speak. 

I  showed  that  this  great  truth  when  made  known  to  us 
by  the  operation  of  Divine  grace,  is  attended  with  an 
humbling  sense  of  our  weakness  and  nothingness,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  patriarch  Job,  who  exclaimed,  "I  have  heard 
of  Thee  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear,  but  now  mine  eye  seeth 
Thee,  and  I  abhor  myself  in  dust  and  ashes." 

After  meeting  went  to  Charles  Kirk's,  who,  with  Dr. 
(  130) 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  131 

Mitchell,  accompanied  us  to  visit  a  friend  who  has  long  been 
confined  at  home  by  sickness.  We  had  a  pleasant  social 
visit  and  a  short  season  of  worship,  in  which  our  hearts 
were  brought  near  each  other  in  the  life  of  the  Lamb. 

Fifth  month,  Sixth,  attended  an  appointed  meeting  at 
Upper  Dublin  in  the  afternoon.  Found  but  little  opening 
for  Gospel  Ministry,  spoke  but  a  short  time,  and  was  after- 
wards apprehensive  I  had  said  too  much. 

Seventh,  First-day,  at  Gwynedd.  A  large  meeting,  and 
favored  with  the  evidence  of  Divine  life,  in  which  I  was 
enabled  to  minister  in  the  ability  which  God  giveth.  To 
Him  alone  be  the  praise.  In  the  afternoon  came  to 
Philadelphia,  and  attended  the  evening  meeting  at  Cherry 
Street.     It  was  a  solemn  and  satisfactory  occasion. 

Ninth,  at  Philadelphia  Quarterly  Meeting.  Although 
much  weakness  was  acknowledged  in  the  reports,  and  some 
expressions  heard  in  the  meeting  that  might  have  been 
spared,  it  was,  upon  the  whole,  satisfactory  to  find  some 
improvement  since  I  last  attended. 

Eleventh,  at  Salem  Quarterly  Meeting.  During  the  public 
meeting  my  mind  was  drawn  forth  in  love  to  the  people, 
and  the  spring  of  Gospel  ministry  was  opened,  which 
flowed  freely.  May  it  be  blessed  by  Him  who  alone  can 
give  the  increase.  The  meeting  for  discipline  was  trying, 
and  somewhat  discouraging  from  the  evidence  of  weakness 
and  disunity  furnished  by  the  reports. 

Thirteenth,  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at 
Philadelphia.  Although  there  is  much  weakness  manifest, 
and  some  disunity  acknowledged,  it  was,  on  the  whole,  a 
satisfactory  meeting  from  the  feeling  of  Divine  life  and 
love  that  prevailed. 

Fourteenth,  First-day,  a  crowded  meeting  at  Cherry 
Street  in  the  forenoon,  another  at  seven  in  the  evening. 


132  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Ja?iney. 

Several  dear  Friends  were  engaged  in  Gospel  ministry  to 
edification,  and  it  pleased  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church 
to  call  me  forth  as  one  of  the  instruments  for  the  exaltation 
of  the  blessed  truth. 

Attended  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting,  which  was  very 
satisfactory.  Much  pertinent  advice  was  expressed  by 
many  Friends,  and  the  meeting  at  large  appeared  to  enter 
into  a  lively  exercise  for  the  good  of  the  body  and  the 
advancement  of  truth.  Through  Divine  favor,  I  was 
enabled  to  take  a  share  in  it  with  acceptance  to  Friends. 

When  the  epistle  to  other  Yearly  Meetings  was  read,  it 
appeared  that  the  Committee  had  introduced  into  it  a  clause 
declaring  that  those  who  are  engaged  in  what  are  called 
"Spiritual  manifestations,  through  mediums,"  pretending 
to  communicate  with  the  dead,  are  "  drunken,  but  not 
with  wine;  they  stagger,  but  not  with  strong  drink." 
This  was  objected  to  by  a  minister  living  in  Philadelphia, 
who  said  this  meeting  knew  nothing  about  the  subject,  and 
ought  not  to  meddle  with  it,  or  words  to  this  effect.  He 
was  supported  by  several,  but  the  great  body  of  the  meeting 
seemed  to  be  in  favor  of  retaining  the  clause,  and  some 
members  spoke  of  the  injurious  effects  of  the  delusion  on 
this  subject,  by  which  many  have  been  driven  to  insanity. 
A  valued  Friend  objected  to  the  offensive  language 
employed  in  the  epistle,  and  proposed  that  it  should  be 
modified  by  striking  out  some  part  of  it.  A  proposition 
was  also  made  to  refer  the  epistle  back  to  the  Committee 
for  revision,  but  many  objected.  At  this  stage  of  the  dis- 
cussion, I  rose  to  offer  some  views  which  had  arisen  in  my 
mind.  I  adverted  to  the  fundamental  principle  of  Chris- 
tianity as  professed  by  us, — the  light  of  Christ,  the  spirit 
of  Truth  manifested  to  the  seeking,  devoted  soul,  as  the 
only  sure  guide  and  dependence  for  salvation.     They  who 


Memoirs  of  Samite  I  M.  Janney.  133 

seek  for  knowledge  by  a  pretended  communication  with 
the  spirits  of  the  dead,  forsake  Him  who  is  a  fountain  of 
living  water,  and  hew  out  for  themselves  cisterns — broken 
cisterns  that  can  hold  no  water.  In  relation  to  the  clause 
in  the  epistle,  I  remarked  that  it  was  rather  inappropriate 
to  send  forth  such  an  admonition  to  other  Yearly  Meetings 
before  this  meeting  had  issued  any  advice  on  the  subject  to 
its  own  members.  I  therefore  proposed  that  a  suitable 
minute  should  be  made,  treating  the  subject  in  a  kind  and 
affectionate  manner,  which  should  be  sent  down  to  the 
subordinate  meetings,  and  that  the  epistle  to  other  Yearly 
Meetings  should  merely  inform  them  of  the  advice  this 
meeting  had  deemed  it  right  to  address  to  its  members. 

This  proposition  met  with  general  concurrence ;  the 
clerks  were  requested  to  prepare  a  minute  expressive  of  the 
exercise  of  the  meeting,  and  the  epistle  was  referred  back 
to  the  Committee  to  be  modified.  Next  morning  I  met 
the  clerks,  by  their  request,  and  assisted  in  the  preparation 
of  their  minute,  which,  on  being  read  after  the  opening  of 
the  meeting,  was  accepted  without  objection.  The  epistle 
was  also  produced,  having  been  modified  and  improved, 
and  it  was  finally  agreed  to  by  the  meeting  after  an  inter- 
esting discussion.     The  clerks'  minute  is  as  follows: 

"  Under  a  lively  exercise  for  our  preservation  in  the 
blessed  truth,  Friends  have  been  affectionately  cautioned 
against  listening  to  the  delusive  voices  that  are  in  the  world, 
which,  pretending  to  be  spiritual  manifestations,  would 
draw  us  away  from  the  safe  reliance, —  Christ,  the  light  and 
life  of  the  soul — the  only  medium  by  which  we  can  attain 
to  the  saving  knowledge  of  Divine  truth. 

"George  Fox  says,  'To  take  counsel  of  the  dead  was 
forbidden  by  the  law  of  God  ;  they  were  to  take  counsel  of 
the  Lord.     He  hath  given  Christ  in  the  new  covenant  in 


134  Me?noirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

his  gospel  day  to  be  a  counseller  and  leader  to  all  believers 
in  his  light.' 

"This  testimony  is  applicable  to  the  present  day,  and 
shall  we,  who  profess  to  be  the  followers  of  Christ,  and 
who  have  been  blessed  with  the  light  of  the  gospel,  turn 
away  from  Him  who  is  the  fountain  of  living  waters,  and 
hew  out  for  ourselves  '  cisterns,  broken  cisterns,  that  can 
hold  no  water?  " 

At  the  public  meeting  on  Fifth-day,  during  Yearly 
Meeting  week,  being  at  Green  Street,  I  was  called  forth  in 
the  ministry  more  extensively  than  is  usual  with  me.  The 
subject  was  opened  by  quoting  the  expression  of  Paul, 
"After  the  way  that  some  call  heresy,  I  worship  the  God 
of  my  fathers."  This  was  uttered  by  the  Apostle  at  a  time 
when  the  Christian  Church  was  under  much  persecution 
and  suffering.  The  Jews,  though  expecting  the  Messiah, 
refused  to  receive  him  when  he  came,  because  his  appear- 
ance was  more  humble  than  suited  their  ambitious  views. 
He  came  to  bear  witness  to  the  truth, — "  to  call  the  atten- 
tion of  mankind  from  the  outward  forms  to  the  inward 
power  of  religion ;  to  the  life  of  God  in  the  soul  of  man 
as  the  only  means  by  which  we  can  be  redeemed  from  sin 
and  brought  into  union  and  communion  with  our  Heavenly 
Father."  This  precious  doctrine  of  the  inward  life,  our 
Lord  taught  in  His  discourses,  exemplified  in  his  conduct, 
confirmed  by  his  miracles,  and  sealed  by  his  painful  death 
and  triumphant  resurrection.  He  foresaw  the  consequences 
of  the  doctrines  he  taught,  he  knew  that  the  Jewish  hier- 
archy would  conspire  against  him,  and  he  prophesied  of  his 
sufferings  and  of  his  rising  again  from  the  dead.  But  his 
sufferings  were  not  vicarious.  The  Most  High  never  pun- 
ished the  innocent  as  a  substitute  for  the  wicked.  His 
language  was,  and  still    is,   "The   righteousness   of  the 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janncy.  r35 

righteous  shall  be  upon  him,  and  the  wickedness  of  the 
wicked  shall  be  upon  him  :  the  soul  that  sinneth  it  shall 
die."  But' the  soul  which  is  dead  in  trespasses  and  sin  may- 
be raised  into  newness  of  life  through  the  power  of  Christ 
inwardly  revealed  as  a  quickening  spirit.  It  is  true  that 
the  Apostle  says  Christ  hath  suffered  for  our  sins — the  just 
for  the  unjust — that  he  might  bring  us  to  God.  Here  the 
reason  is  assigned :  the  change  is  to  be  wrought  in  man, 
whereby  he  that  was  alienated  through  sin  may,  through 
repentance  and  amendment  of  life,  be  reconciled  and 
brought  unto  God. 

In  order  to  promulgate  and  exemplify  this  pure  doctrine, 
the  Apostles  were  sent  forth,  being  endued  with  power 
from  on  high.  By  choosing  His  disciples  from  among 
fishermen  and  mechanics  who  had  little  or  none  of  the 
world's  erudition,  and  sending  them  forth  without  scrip  or 
purse,  saying,  "  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give,"  the 
Divine  Master  has  left  an  example  for  all  succeeding  gener- 
ations to  show  that  his  servants  must  minister  of  the  ability 
that  God  giveth,  not  looking  to  man  for  their  reward. 
The  purity  of  their  doctrine,  the  consistency  of  their  lives 
and  the  abundant  effusions  of  the  Holy  Spirit  caused  mul- 
titudes to  flock  to  the  Christian  church.  With  numbers 
came  wealth  and  power.  The  princes  of  the  earth  sought 
an  alliance  with  the  church,  and  lavished  honors  on  her 
ministers,  by  which  they  were  corrupted  and  a  long  night 
of  apostacy  ensued.  With  the  Protestant  Reformation 
light  rose  upon  the  world,  but  those  valiant  men  who  were 
engaged  in  its  promotion,  although  they  may_  have  lived 
up  to  the  light  they  had,  saw  but  imperfectly  in  the  early 
dawn. 

They  retained  some  of  the  relics  of  papal  superstition, 
and  by  instituting  an  established  order  of  clergy  who  alone 


136  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

were  supposed  capable  of  imparting  religious  knowledge, 
they  obstructed  the  progress  of  the  light.  George  Fox  and 
his  co-laborers  were  called  and  qualified  by  Divine  grace 
to  revive  primitive  Christianity  by  calling  the  attention  of 
men  to  the  only  saving  power,  the  life  of  God  in  the  soul 
by  obedience  to  which  we  may  be  regenerated  and  made  par- 
takers of  the  Divine  nature.  This  "  law  of  the  spirit  of  life 
in  Christ  Jesus,"  by  which  we  are  made  free  from  the  "  law 
of  sin  and  death/'  that  "wars  in  our  members,"  is  the 
root  from  which  all  the  precious  testimonies  of  Truth  have 
sprung,  and  it  is  only  as  we  abide  in  Him,  the  true  vine, 
that  we  can  bring  forth  fruits  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
advancement  of  our  own  happiness.  The  early  Friends,  like 
the  primitive  Christians,  were  contemned  and  persecuted, 
but  the  purity  of  their  lives  and  the  excellence  of  their 
testimonies  won  the  admiration  of  the  world,  and  they  not 
only  obtained  toleration  for  religious  tenets  and  worship, 
but  in  process  of  time  were  applauded  and  caressed  to 
their  own  hurt.  They  were  generally  spoken  of  as  "the 
very  respectable  Society  of  Friends."  Many  of  the  mem- 
bers became  rich,  and  some  of  this  class  who  had  no  depth 
of  religious  experience,  became  active  in  the  administration 
of  discipline.  A  spirit  of  domination  began  to  appear, 
abstruse  points  of  doctrine  were  insisted  on  and  sought  to 
be  made  tests  of  soundness  in  religious  faith,  dissatisfac- 
tion and  hostility  were  manifested  in  meetings  for  disci- 
pline and  worship,  until  a  large  part  of  this  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, believing  it  their  duty  to  withdraw  from  scenes  of 
dissension  and  altercation,  met  in  this  house  twenty-seven 
years  ago  and  determined  to  re-organize  the  Society  on  its 
ancient  principles.  They  introduced  no  new  doctrines,  nor 
did  they  make  any  change  of  moment  in  the  discipline 
previously  existing,  but  they  recurred  to  first  principles, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  137 

and  placing  their  reliance  upon  Divine  love  as  their  bond 
of  Union,  they  asserted  once  more  the  religious  liberty  en- 
ioyed  by  their  fathers.  This  religious  Society  has  not  yet 
accomplished  its  work,  as  some  appear  to  think,  for  there 
is  a  vast  field  of  labor  open  to  us,  the  fields  are  white 
already  to  harvest,  and  it  should  be  the  prayer  of  our 
hearts  that  the  Lord  would  send  forth  more  laborers. 

Fifth  month,  25th,  attended  Monthly  Meeting  at  Chat- 
ham, New  York,  and  in  the  afternoon  was  at  the  house  of 
John  Coffin,  where,  in  a  meeting  for  worship  appointed 
for  the  purpose,  my  son  John  took  in  marriage,  Eliza  T., 
the  daughter  of  John  Coffin.  It  was  a  solemn  meeting, 
and  I  believed  it  my  duty  to  make  some  remarks  on  the 
importance  of  seeking  Divine  aid  to  enable  us  to  perform 
the  duties  of  the  marriage  covenant. 

Fifth  month,  27th,  attended  New  York  Yearly  Meeting 
of  ministers  and  elders,  both  morning  and  afternoon  to 
good  satisfaction. 

First-day,  28th,  at  Rose  Street  Meeting  for  worship 
where  I  was  called  forth  in  gospel  ministry.  The  subject 
was  the  Omnipresence  of  Deity  and  the  influence  of  Divine 
grace  upon  the  soul,  as  set  forth  in  the  address  of  the 
Apostle  Paul  to  the  Athenians.  From  this  I  was  led  to 
consider  the  object  of  Christ's  Mission,  the  ministry  of  the 
Apostles,  the  spread  of  Christianity,  the  Apostacy,  the 
Protestant  Reformation,  the  revival  of  primitive  Christian- 
ity among  the  early  Friends,  and  the  principles  and  testi- 
monies of  our  religious  Society.  I  thought  I  was  favored, 
but  on  taking  my  seat,  was  apprehensive  I  had  not  dwelt 
sufficiently  long  on  our  testimony  against  slavery.  A 
friend  arose  soon  after,  and  among  other  interesting  re- 
marks which  she  made,  the  evils  of  slavery  were  commented 
on  with  much  feeling. 


138  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Some  of  the  sittings  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  were  seasons 
of  painful  exercise,  but  the  last  was  highly  favored,  and  the 
closing  one  was  crowned  with  the  evidence  of  Divine 
life.  My  Divine  Master  graciously  condescended  to  era- 
ploy  me  in  His  service  to  my  own  humbling  admiration. 
As  I  came  away  from  the  last  sitting  my  heart  was  filled 
with  Divine  love,  and  the  language  seemed  to  arise  "Be- 
hold I  have  set  before  thee  an  open  door." 

Sixth-day,  Sixth  month,  2d.  Having  received  an  invita- 
tion from  Richard  Mott,  now  in  his  86th  year,  a  minister 
of  the  other  branch  of  the  Society  of  Friends  called  Or- 
thodox, I  went  to  see  him  at  his  lodgings.  We  had  no 
personal  acquaintance,  but  he  received  me  very  cordially. 
He  expressed  the  satisfaction  he  had  derived  from  my 
"Life  of  Penn,"  and  his  intention  to  read  -my  "Life  of 
George  Fox  "  as  soon  as  he  could  procure  it.  He  asked  me 
whether  I  was  willing  to  have  it  criticised.  I  replied  that 
it  was  just  what  I  wished  him  to  do,  for  I  desired  to  know 
whether  we  differed  in  sentiment,  and  on  what  points  we 
disagreed.  He  inquired  what  I  had  done  with  George  Fox's 
letter  to  the  Governor  of  Barbadoes.  I  told  him  it  was  com- 
posed almost  entirely  of  Scripture  phrases,  and  that  I  had 
arranged  it  in  parallel  columns  with  extracts  from  his  other 
writings  to  show  what  he  understood  those  Scripture  texts 
to  mean.  I  further  remarked  that  I  supposed  he  would  be 
satisfied  with  my  exposition  of  George  Fox's  views  on  the 
Divinity  of  Christ,  but  perhaps  he  might  not  be  satisfied 
with  my  rejection  of  the  doctrine  of  Vicarious  Satisfaction, 
which  I  think  George  Fox  also  rejected.  He  replied  that 
this  is  not  an  essential  doctrine.  I  then  remarked  that  we 
could  tolerate  this  doctrine  in  others,  or  even  in  our  own 
members,  but  we  could  not  believe  it,  nor  submit  to  its 
being  made  a  test  of  soundness  in  faith.     I  observed,  more- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  139 

over,  that  George  Fox,  in  one  of  his  doctrinal  essays,  had  re- 
ferred to  most  of  the  passages  in  the  New  Testament  which 
speak  of  the  efficacy  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  has  shown 
that  the  blood  is  the  Life — the  indwelling  of  Divine  Power. 

Richard  Mott  and  another  Orthodox  Friend  who  sat  by, 
assented  to  this  doctrine.  Richard  expressed  the  senti- 
ment that  we  who  are  called  Hicksites  do  not  now  hold  the 
views  of  Elias  Hicks,  who,  in  his  opinion,  had  imbibed 
some  of  Priestley's  views,  which  were  inconsistent  with  the 
doctrines  of  Friends.  I  replied  that  we  did  not  profess  to 
be  followers  of  Elias  Hicks,  nor  acknowledge  the  name  of 
Hicksites.  If  we  must  take  the  name  of  any  man  we 
should  choose  to  be  called  Foxites,  but  we  profess  to  be 
followers  of  Christ.  As  to  Elias  Hicks,  we  think  he  was  a 
good  man.  Yes,  said  Richard,  he  was  a  strictly  moral 
man. 

I  queried  whether  he  was  not  a  man  of  devotional  feel- 
ings? He  answered,  yes,  he  was  at  one  time  of  his  life. 
I  then  remarked  that  it  was  difficult  for  men  who  had  been 
arrayed  against  each  other  in  religious  controversy,  to  judge 
impartially  of  each  other's  characters,  therefore,  we  must 
make  some  allowance  for  his  estimate  of  Elias  Hicks.  He 
smiled  and  said,  Oh  !  we  were  wrong  on  both  sides  at  the 
time  of  the  separation.  We  both  acted  under  the  influence 
of  excitement,  and  nothing  can  be  done  rightly  in  religious 
concerns  under  such  feelings. 

I  inquired  of  him  whether  there  were  not  objectionable 
passages  in  the  writings  of  J.  J.  Gurney?  He  admitted 
that  there  were  expressions  that  he  would  not  have  used, 
but  J.  J.  G.  had  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  expunged  many 
of  them  and  had  shown  much  submission  to  the  judgment 
of  his  friends.  He  described  Gurney  as  a  man  of  exalted 
principles,   pure   benevolence  and  genuine  piety.     I  ad- 


140  Memoirs  of  Samuel  At.  Janney. 

mitted  that  he  was  a  good  and  pious  man,  but  supposed  he 
was  not  a  Quaker  of  the  Foxite  stamp  in  his  doctrines. 

At  parting  with  Richard  Mott  he  expressed  his  satisfac- 
tion with  the  interview,  and  said  he  thought  we  did  not 
differ  essentially  in  our  doctrinal  views. 

Sixth-month,  4th.  Having  come  into  the  vicinity  of 
Westbury,  Long  Island,  we  went  on  First-day  morning 
with  our  kind  friends,  William  Cock  and  wife,  to  Cow 
Neck  Meeting,  which  was  also  attended  by  Eleazer  Havil- 
and,  from  Nine  Partners,  and  by  Rebecca  Price,  a  minister 
from  Gunpowder  in  Maryland.  She  is  on  a  religious  visit, 
accompanied  by  Isaac  Dixon  and  wife.  In  the  afternoon  we 
were  at  an  appointed  meeting  at  Matinecock  and  in  the 
evening  attended  one  at  Oyster  Bay.  In  all  these  meetings, 
our  friend  Rebecca  spoke  acceptably  in  the  early  part, 
which  seemed  to  open  the  way  for  me,  and  I  trust  I  had 
good  service  in  the  cause  of  Truth.  At  Oyster  Bay  the 
meeting  was  composed  chiefly  of  those  not  members  of  our 
Society,  and  much  openness  was  felt  in  the  communication 
of  religious  instruction. 

On  Second-day,  we  attended  appointed  meetings  at 
Westbury  and  Jericho,  and  on  Third-day  at  Bethpage  and 
Jerusalem;  our  friend,  Rebecca  Price,  and  her  companions, 
being  with  us.  These  meetings  were  small,  except  the  last, 
which  was  attended  by  some  not  in  membership  with  us. 

Sixth  month,  7th,  attended  Monthly  Meeting  in  the 
City  of  New  York,  and  had  some  religious  service,  showing 
the  manner  and  the  spirit  in  which  discipline  should  be 
exercised  in  the  Christian  Church,  under  the  restoring  in- 
fluence of  Gospel  love. 

In  the  evening,  attended  an  appointed  meeting  at 
Flushing,  Long  Island,  but  the  weather  being 'unfavorable, 
it  was  small.  Our  Friend,  Rebecca  Price,  spoke  acceptably, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  141 

and,  after  long  waiting,  I  believed  it  right  to  appear  in  the 
ministry,  and,  towards  the  close,  felt  some  life  to  arise, 
which,  I  trust,  was  also  felt  by  others. 

On  Fifth-day,  attended  Monthly  Meeting  at  Flushing, 
which  was  small,  and  then  we  returned  to  the  City  of  New 
York,  where  I  had  appointed  a  meeting  to  be  held  in  the 
evening  at  Hester  Street  house.     It  was  attended  by  a  con 
siderable  number  of  Friends  and  others. 

The  discourse  of  our  Saviour  with  Martha  and  Mary  was 
brought  before  the  view  of  my  mind,  and  I  was  led  to 
speak  on  it,  commencing  with  these  words  addressed  to 
Mary  :  "  The  Master  is  come  and  calleth  for  thee."  One 
of  the  sisters  said  to  him,  "If  thou  hadst  been  here  our 
brother  had  not  died."  He  answered,  "  Thy  brother  shall 
rise  again."  She  said,  "  I  know  he  will  arise  in  the  resur- 
rection at  the  last  day. ' '  He  replied,  ' '  I  am  the  resurrection 
and  the  life.  He  that  believeth  on  me,  though  he  were 
dead,  yet  shall  he  live ;  and  he  that  liveth  and  believeth 
on  me  shall  never  die."  On  considering  this  emphatic 
language  of  the  Messiah,  some  reflections  arose  and  were 
expressed  concerning  the  character  and  mission  of  the 
wonderful  personage  by  whom  they  were  spoken.  The 
most  highly  favored  servants  of  God  among  the  prophets 
and  apostles  would  not  have  dared  to  use  such  language  in 
reference  to  themselves,  but  it  seems  to  us  to  be  dignified  and 
appropriate,  coming  from  the  lips  of  the  Son  of  God.  We 
read  in  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  that  "God,  who  at 
sundry  times  and  in  divers  manners  spake  in  time  past  unto 
the  fathers  by  the  prophets,  hath  in  these  last  days  spoken 
unto  us  by  His  Son,  whom  He  hath  appointed  heir  of  all 
things,  by  whom,  also,  He  made  the  world." 

In  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ  was  a  full  manifestation  of 
that  Eternal  Word  which  was  in  the  beginning  with  God, 


142  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

and  was  God.  "  In  him  was  life,  and  the  life  was  the  light 
of  men,  even  the  true  light  which  lighteth  every  man  that 
cometh  into  the  world.  It  pleased  the  Father  that  in  him 
should  all  fulness  dwell,  and  of  his  fulness  have  all  we 
received  and  grace  for  grace."  His  soul  was  the  temple 
of  Deity;  for  he  had  a  soul,  as  He  declared,  "  My  soul  is 
exceeding  sorrowful  unto  death," — and  that  soul  has  not 
ceased  to  exist :  but  is  now  glorified  in  Heaven  as  the 
head  or  chief  member  of  that  spiritual  body,  the  Church, 
which  is  made  up  of  the  faithful  servants  of  God  of  all  ages 
and  nations. 

He  said  to  his  disciples,  "  I  am  the  vine,  and  ye  are 
the  branches,  and  my  Father  is  the  husbandman."  Now 
the  branches  cannot  be  equal  t©  the  vine  from  which  they 
draw  their  nourishment,  nor  can  they  have  life  any  longer 
than  they  are  united  to  the  vine  ;  so  the  members  of  the 
Church  of  Christ  can  only  retain  their  vitality  and  bring 
forth  fruit  by  their  union  with  him  through  the  influence 
of  His  life-giving  spirit.  It  is  only  through  obedience  to 
this  spirit  of  Divine  grace  in  the  soul,  that  we  can  experi- 
ence the  kingdom  of  Heaven,  or  reign  of  God,  to  be 
established  within  us,  by  which  the  carnal  nature  will  be 
brought  into  subjection,  and  the  spiritual  birth  brought 
forth,  so  that  "  being  made  partakers  of  the  Divine  nature  ' ' 
through  the  spirit  of  Christ,  we  can  say  Abba-Father. 

It  was  evidently  the  design  of  the  coming  of  Christ  in 
the  flesh  "to  bear  witness  to  the  Truth,  and  to  bring  life 
and  immortality  to  light  through  the  Gospel."  This  was 
the  main  purpose  of  his  sublime  discourses,  his  wonderful 
miracles,  his  patient  sufferings  and  his  triumphant  resur- 
rection. His  wonderful  work  in  healing  the  sick,  cleansing 
the  lepers,  opening  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  unstopping  the 
ears  of  the  deaf,  and  raising  the  dead  to  life,  were  adapted 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  1 43 

to  the  condition  of  people  in  that  age,  in  order  to  confirm 
His  doctrines.  It  was  a  great  epoch  in  the  history  of  the 
human  race ;  for  no  event  since  the  creation  has  been  so 
important  to  man  as  the  introduction  of  Christifnity ; 
therefore  it  is  not  unreasonable  to  believe  that  the  mission 
of  Christ  was  attested  by  miracles.  He  who  created  and 
controls  the  Universe  can  bestow  upon  his  ministers  and 
messengers  a  spiritual  power  superior  to  all  natural  laws ; 
and  even  at  this  day  He,  through  the  spirit  of  Christ,  per- 
forms in  man  greater  works  than  the  outward  miracles  of 
the  Messiah.  Ashe  said  to  his  disciples,  "The  works 
that  I  do  shall  ye  do  also,  and  greater  works  than  these, 
because  I  go  to  my  Father."  To  cleanse  us  from  the 
leprosy  of  sin,  to  open  our  spiritual  perceptions,  to  enable 
us  to  hear  the  Divine  word,  to  raise  the  soul  from  the  death 
of  sin  to  the  life  of  righteousness  are  more  important  and 
far  more  enduring  works  of  Divine  power  than  any  out- 
ward miracles.  We  cannot  save  ourselves  from  a  single  sin 
or  lust  but  as  we  turn  to  the  principle  of  light  and  life  in 
the  soul,  and  rely  upon  it ;  avoiding  all  that  we  know  to  be 
wrong,  and  doing  all  that  we  see  to  be  right.  Our  spiritual 
perceptions  will  improve,  the  light  will  become  clearer  to 
our  vision,  and  we  shall  be  led  in  a  path  that  we  have  not 
known  :  a  path  of  purity  and  self-denial.  By  this  purifying 
process,  through  the  operation  of  Divine  grace,  the  natural 
man  will  be  subdued,  and  we  shall  be  enabled  to  love  all 
mankind — even  our  enemies,  which  no  man  can  do  in  the 
unregenerate  state.  It  will  become  the  chief  desire  and 
effort  of  the  redeemed  soul  to  promote  the  glory  of  God 
and  the  good  of  all  mankind.  The  root  of  evil  in  the  heart 
being  eradicated,  the  true  disciple  of  Christ  cannot  fight, 
nor  enslave,  nor  oppress  his  fellow-men,  but  will  follow  the 
example  of  him  who  went  about  doing  good.     Through- 


1 44  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

out  the  whole  process  of  man's  redemption  the  work  will 
be  performed  in  us  by  Divine  power,  as  we  yield  obedience 
and  co-operate  therewith.  Hence  we  can  take  no  merit  to 
ourselves,  but  unto  "Him  that  worketh  in  us,"  must  be 
ascribed  "All  honour  and  praise  and  glory  forever." 

After  a  pause,  supplication  was  offered,  a  solemn  and 
impressive  silence  prevailed,  and  the  meeting  concluded 
under  the  precious  feeling  of  Divine  life. 

Sixth  month,  nth,  First-day. — Attended  meeting  at  Pur- 
chase, West  Chester  County,  New  York.  Through  Divine 
favor,  I  was  enabled  to  appear  in  the  ministry  with  accept- 
ance. In  the  afternoon  we  had  an  appointed  meeting  at 
Chappaqua.  After  sitting  some  time,  the  subject  of  Paul's 
conversion  and  previous  life  came  before  my  mind,  but 
not  with  a  clear  evidence  of  duty  to  speak  of  it.  I  think  I 
rose  too  early,  without  sufficient  qualification  to  speak,  and 
after  proceeding  for  awhile  in  a  feeble  manner,  I  found  no 
life  to  go  forward,  and  sat  down  rather  abruptly.  Under 
a  sense  of  deep  humiliation,  I  sat  still  for  some  time,  and, 
a  little  light  appearing,  I  rose  again  and  gave  a  short 
exhortation  on  practical  righteousness  and  spiritual  devo- 
tion. 

On  leaving  the  meeting,  my  mind  was  brought  into  a 
state  of  deep  humiliation  from  an  apprehension  that  I  had, 
through  inadvertence  or  haste,  burdened  some  feeling 
minds,  and  marred  the  work  I  was  sent  to  accomplish. 
Feeling  no  strength  to  go  forward  nor  any  authority  to 
appoint  more  meetings,  I  concluded  to  turn  my  face  home- 
ward, and  attend  by  the  way  Haddonfield  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing in  New  Jersey. 

13th. — Arrived  at  the  house  of  our  kind  Friends,  Isaac 
and  Mary  Lippincott. 

14th. — Attended    Quarterly  Meeting    of  ministers  and 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  145 

elders.  A  solemn  meeting,  where  I  was  favored  to  speak 
a  word  in  season,  which  was  attended  with  life,  and 
brought  peace  to  my  own  mind. 

Sixth  month,  15th. — Haddonfield  Quarterly  Meeting.  In 
the  meeting  for  worship  my  mind  was  brought  into  a  state 
of  solemn  waiting  upon  God,  and  the  remark  of  Agrippa 
to  Paul,  "Almost  thou  persuadest  me  to  be  a  Christian," 
was  brought  before  me  as  a  subject  for  meditation.  I  felt 
no  authority  to  speak  on  it,  and,  remaining  in  silent  wait- 
ing, a  query  arose  in  my  mind,  "  Why  is  it  that  we  minis- 
ters of  the  Society  of  Friends  quote  so  much  Scripture  to 
corroborate  our  doctrines?"  On  this  subject  I  felt  author- 
ity to  speak,  and  was  favored  with  an  easy  and  continuous 
flow  of  ideas,  which  I  endeavored  to  clothe  in  plain  and 
simple  language.  The  Scriptures  I  compared  to  a  chart 
left  for  our  guidance  by  the  holy  men  of  old,  who  had 
safely  performed  the  voyage  of  life.  In  them  we  may  find 
described  the  rocks  and  shoals  where  others  have  been 
wrecked,  and  the  channels  which  lead  to  our  destined  port 
of  eternal  rest.  But  the  chart  without  a  compass  would  be 
of  little  avail,  and  the  Bible  without  the  inward  monitor, 
which  points  to  the  polar  Star  of  Truth,  would  not  be 
sufficient  for  man's  salvation.  There  is  no  saving  power 
but  that  of  God,  who  declared,  through  the  mouth  of  his 
prophet,  "I,  even  I,  am  the  Lord,  and  besides  me  there 
is  no  Saviour."  Some  may  query,  Was  not  Jesus  Christ  a 
Saviour?  Yes,  we  acknowledge  him  as  a  Saviour,  for 
God  dwelt  in  him,  and  wherever  God  is  there  is  the 
Saviour.  It  pleased  the  father  that  in  him  should  all  ful- 
ness dwell,  and  of  his  fulness  have  all  we  received,  and 
grace  for  grace. ' ' 

The  Apostle  declares  that  Jesus  was  the  first  born  among 
many  brethren  ;  that  he  is  the  head  of  the  Church,  the  chief 

10 


146  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

member  of  that  spiritual  body  which  is  made  up  of  the 
faithful  servants  of  God  of  all  ages  and  nations.  He  de- 
clared himself  "  I  am  the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches  and  my 
Father  is  the  husbandman."  Now,  the  branch  does  not 
bear  the  vine,  but  it  is  supported  by  the  vine  and  derives 
its  nourishment  through  the  vine.  May  we  therefore  main- 
tain our  connection  with  the  true  vine  by  obedience  to  the 
manifestations  of  Divine  grace,  through  which  we  may  be 
renewed  in  the  image  of  Him  who  created  us.  By  this 
means  the  natural  appetites  and  desires  will  become  sub- 
jected, the  spiritual  nature  developed  in  us,  and  that  glo- 
rious change  of  heart  perfected  by  which  we  may  become 
heirs  of  God  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ.  The  meeting 
was  solemn  and  the  evidence  of  Divine  life  and  love  seemed 
to  prevail. 

Our  dear  friend,  Sarah  Hunt,  appeared  in  supplication 
with  thanksgiving  for  the  favors  vouchsafed  to  us ;  and  I 
came  away  rejoicing.  The  cloud  of  discouragement  that 
had  attended  my  mind  for  some  days  was  removed,  and  I 
felt  at  liberty  to  appoint  several  meetings  within  the  com- 
pass of  Haddonfield  Quarter. 

17th. — We  came  to  Riverton  and  staid  with  our  beloved 
friend,  Dillwyn  Parrish. 

1 8th. — Accompanied  by  Dillwyn  Parrish,  we  attended 
meeting  at  Moorestown  on  First-day  morning.  It  was  a 
large  meeting  and  a  favored  opportunity.  In  the  afternoon 
we  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Westfield,  also  a  good 
time. 

19th. — Had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Evesham,  in  which 
we  were  blessed  with  the  evidence  of  our  Heavenly  Fath- 
er's love. 

In  the  evening  at  7^  o'clock  had  a  meeting  at  Haddon- 
field. It  was  a  season  of  Divine  favor,  for  which  I  felt 
thankful. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  147 

20th. — We  came  to  Burlington  in  company  with  our 
friend,  D.  Parrish,  and  called  to  see  Stephen  Grellet,  an 
aged  and  well  known  minister  of  the  gospel,  who  belongs 
to  the  other  section  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  He  is  feeble 
in  health,  but  cheerful  and  affable.  I  told  him  I  had  read 
of  him  in  the  "  Life  of  Wm.  Allen,"  and  that  I  had  felt  a 
wish  to  become  acquainted  with  him.  He  spoke  very 
affectionately  of  his  deceased  friend,  Wm.  Allen,  and 
alluded  to  their  travels  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  their 
interviews  with  the  Emperor  Alexander  of  Russia,  and 
other  remarkable  occurrences.  I  remarked  that  I  had 
been  informed  of  his  visit  to  the  Pope  of  Rome  and  the 
Inquisition  of  Italy  and  Spain.  He  then  related  many 
interesting  and  remarkable  particulars  concerning  those 
visits  which  took  place  after  Wm.  Allen  had  left  him.  In 
the  first  place,  he  alluded  to  his  intercourse  with  General 
or  Admiral  Maitland,  the  British  commander  in  the 
Mediterranean,  who,  although  he  was  considered  an  imper- 
ious and  haughty  man,  had  shown  him  especial  favor.  He 
had  an  interview  with  this  officer  at  Corfu,  who  on  being 
informed  of  his  intention  to  visit  Italy,  had  offered  to  send 
him  in  his  own  frigate,  but  the  offer  being  declined  on 
conscientious  grounds,  he  then  tendered  to  Stephen  letters 
and  despatches  to  some  of  the  chief  dignitaries  of  Italy.  On 
Stephen's  arrival  at  Rome,  being  furnished  with  letters  to 
the  Cardinal,  who  was  then  the  Prime  Minister  of  Pope 
Pius  VII,  he  was  permitted  by  this  functionary  to  visit  all 
the  prisons  of  Rome,  where  he  found  much  bad  manage- 
ment and  inhuman  treatment  of  the  prisoners.  He  noted 
down  what  he  saw,  and  wrote  some  suggestions  for  a  refor- 
mation of  the  prisoners.  These  suggestions  were  kindly 
received  by  the  Cardinal,  and  measures  taken  to  reform 
the   abuses   discovered.     Stephen   then  asked   him  some 


148  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

questions  concerning  the  Inquisition.  The  Cardinal  an- 
swered that  it  had  been  suppressed.  Stephen  replied,  I 
have  no  doubt  it  is  as  thou  sayest,  but  when  I  go  home  to 
America,  how  shall  I  assure  my  friends  and  others  that  it  is 
discontinued  unless  I  see  it.  The  Cardinal  said  it  was 
never  visited  by  strangers,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  gain 
access  to  it,  but  he  would  endeavor  to  obtain  permission. 
A  few  days  afterwards  permission  was  given  to  visit  every 
part  of  it.  He  was  accompanied  through  it  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Grand  Inquisition. 

There  he  saw  the  chambers  where  the  victims  of  bigotry 
were  imprisoned,  the  halls  where  they  were  tried,  and 
some  of  the  instruments  of  torture,  but  not  many.  In  one 
room  he  was  shown  the  books  in  which  were  recorded  the 
trial,  condemnation  and  punishment  of  the  prisoners  dur- 
ing several  centuries.  These  books  were  like  the  Mercan- 
tile Day-book  and  Ledger,  and  seemed  to  be  kept  with 
great  care.  He  was  also  shown  the  library  of  condemned 
books.  It  was  a  large  collection,  and  in  each  book  there 
was  a  statement  of  the  grounds  of  its  condemnation,  with 
references  to  the  obnoxious  passages.  The  Inquisition  was, 
I  think,  discontinued  during  the  ascendency  of  the  French 
in  Italy  and  Spain,  but  afterwards  revived  when  their 
forces  were  withdrawn.  Stephen  related  to  us  his  inter- 
view with  the  Pope,  to  whom  he  spoke  plainly  concerning 
the  licentiousness  prevailing  in  Rome  and  the  lewdness  of 
the  clergy.  He  told  him  it  was  a  reproach  that  such 
wickedness  should  abound  in  a  city  professing  to  be  the 
religious  Metropolis  of  the  world.  The  Pope  admitted  the 
truth  of  the  charge,  and  lamented  his  inability  to  remedy 
the  evil.  He  said  many  persons  supposed  because  he  was 
Pope  that  he  had  absolute  power,  but  it  was  not  so.  He 
received,  without  offence,  the  remarks  that  were  made,  and 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  149 

Stephen  feeling  his  mind  drawn  to  address  him  in  relation 
to  his  own  spiritual  condition,  did  so,  and  alluded  to  the 
remarkable  vicissitudes  he  (the  Pope)  had  experienced.  On 
taking  leave  the  Pope  expressed  his  desire  that  his  visitor 
might  experience  the  Divine  blessing  and  protection. 
This,  I  think,  is  the  substance  of  the  relation  given  to  us 
by  Stephen  Grellet,  in  which  we  were  deeply  interested. 

21st. — Accompanied  by  my  friend,  John  Parrish,  I  called 
to  see  Richard  Mott,  who  lives  with  his  daughter-in-law 
near  Burlington.  Pie  received  us  very  cordially,  and 
alluded  pleasantly  to  the  interview  he  had  with  me  in  New 
York.  He  and  his  daughter  spoke  of  the  pleasure  their 
reading  circle,  last  winter,  derived  from  reading  my  "Life 
of  Wm.  Penn."  He  had  not  yet  had  an  opportunity  to 
read  my  "  Life  of  George  Fox,"  but  intended  to  procure  it. 
She  said  she  much  regretted  to  learn  that  it  was  defective 
on  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement.  I  answered  that  they 
ought  not  to  condemn  it  without  examination,  and  alluded 
to  the  admission  of  Richard  Mott  in  New  York  that  the 
doctrine  of  Vicarious  Satisfaction  is  not  essential.  He 
replied  that  the  word  vicarious  was  not  used  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  queried  what  I  understood  by  it. 

I  told  him  that  I  understood  its  sense  as  used  in  relation 
to  the  atonement  to  mean  that  Jesus  Christ  suffered  as  a 
substitute  for  us  by  bearing  the  punishment  due  to  sin, 
which  I  thought  was  not  stated  in  the  Scriptures,  neither 
the  word  vicarious  nor  the  idea  conveyed  by  its  being  found 
there.  This  was  admitted  by  Richard  Mott,  but  contro- 
verted by  his  daughter-in-law,  who  said  the  meaning  was 
found  in  Scriptures  if  not  the  word.  I  stated  my  belief  to 
be  that  the  work  of  reconciliation  is  wrought  in  man  in 
order  to  bring  him  into  union  with  God,  for  there  can  be 
no  change  in  Deity,  and  that  the  effect  of  Christ's  surfer- 


1 50  Memoirs  of  Samuel  31.  Janney. 

ings  on  the  Cross,  as  well  as  the  operation  of  His  spirit  in 
the  souls  of  men,  was  and  is  to  bring  about  this  change  of 
heart  as  declared  by  the  Apostle,  "God  was  in  Christ 
reconciling  the  world  unto  Himself."  To  this  view 
Richard  Mott  agreed,  and  said  that  the  Deity  is  unchange- 
able. Some  one  present  alluded  to  the  criticism  on  my 
"  Life  of  Fox,"  which  appeared  in  The  Friend,  edited  by 
Charles  Evans,  of  Philadelphia.  I  then  stated  that  I  had 
shown  the  Dissertations  on  Doctrine  to  Thomas  Evans 
before,  its  publication.  I  stated,  moreover,  that  Thomas 
had  advised  me  to  insert  only  extracts  from  the  works  of 
George  Fox,  omitting  the  inferences,  although  he  appeared 
to  assent  to  my  summary  of  the  doctrines  in  that  essay. 

On  taking  leave  of  Richard  Mott  he  pressed  us  to  return 
after  meeting  and  dine  with  him,  which  did  not  suit  our 
arrangements,   and    was    therefore    respectfully   declined. 

We  attended  Friends'  meeting  at  Burlington  in  the 
forenoon,  and  in  the  evening  had  an  appointed  meeting  at 
Mount  Holly. 

The  former  of  these  meetings  was  comfortable  to  my 
feelings,  and  the  latter  was  crowned  with  the  overshadow- 
ing of  Divine  goodness,  in  which  I  was  enabled  to  deliver 
doctrine  that  I  trust  was  owned  by  the  witness  for  truth  in 
the  hearts  of  the  audience. 

After  attending  meetings  at  Rancocas,  Old  Springfield, 
and  Chesterfield,  we  came  to  the  city  of  Trenton.  Our 
meeting  there  was  attended  by  many  not  of  our  commun- 
ion, and  I  trust  I  was  furnished  with  ability  to  labor  in  the 
Master's  cause,  "rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth." 

The  subject  that  opened  to  my  mind  was  the  original 
and  present  state  of  man.  He  was  created  in  the  image 
of  God,  that  is  in  a  state  of  purity  and  uprightness,  and  he 
then  enjoyed  union  and  communion  with   his   Creator. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  151 

But  he  was  not  intended  to  be  so  independent  as  to  know 
of  himself  good  and  evil  without  Divine  assistance,  and 
when  he  presumed  to  be  as  a  God  knowing  good  and  evil, 
setting  up  his  own  will  above  the  Divine  will,  he  became 
carnally-minded,  which  is  death.  In  this  fallen  state  he 
could  not  partake  of  the  tree  of  life  nor  enjoy  the  happi- 
ness of  Paradise,  for  the  flaming  sword  turned  every  way 
to  exclude  him  therefrom.  This  is  still  experienced  by  all 
who  transgress  the  Divine  law  and  become  carnally-minded. 
The  sword  of  the  Spirit  smites  them,  the  reproofs  of  instruc- 
tion are  witnessed  within  them,  and  it  is  only  by  submit- 
ting to  this  sword  which  slays  the  carnal  nature,  that  they 
can  be  restored  to  Paradise.  The  guilt  of  Adam  is  not 
transmitted  nor  imputed  to  any  of  his  descendants,  but  we 
become  sinners  in  the  same  way  that  he  did,  for  "sin  is 
the  transgression  of  the  law,"  and  as  in  the  case  of  infants, 
where  there  is  no  law  there  is  no  transgression. 

This  position  was  further  confirmed  by  reference  to  the 
language  of  the  Most  High  through  the  Prophet  Ezekiel, 
"Ye  shall  no  more  have  this  proverb  in  Israel."  "The 
fathers  have  eaten  sour  grapes  and  the  children's  teeth  are 
set  on  edge,"  etc. 

The  object  of  Christ's  coming  and  suffering  in  the  flesh 
and  the  effect  of  his  spiritual  manifestation  in  the  heart  were 
opened,  and  an  earnest  invitation  was  extended  to  all  pre- 
sent to  embrace  the  offers  of  redeeming  love,  and  devote 
their  lives  to  the  service  of  God. 

Sixth  month,  24th. — Parted  with  my  dear  friend  John 
Smith,  he  being  too  unwell  to  proceed  with  me.  This 
separation  was  a  trial  to  us  both,  but  I  trust  we  can  say  the 
Lord's  will  be  done.  In  company  with  my  friend  John 
Parrish,  we  came  from  Trenton  to  Burlington  and  called 
on  Richard  Mott,  with  whom  we  spent  some  hours  and 


152  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

dined.     It  was  a  satisfactory  visit  which  I  shall  remember 
with  pleasure. 

25th. — Attended  meeting  in  the  morning  at  Bristol,  in  the 
afternoon  at  Byberry,  and  at  night  in  Germantown.  They 
were  satisfactory,  and  in  the  first  two  especially  I  was, 
through  Divine  favor,  furnished  with  matter  I  trust  adapted 
to  the  states  of  the  people.  After  attending  Abington  and 
Byberry  Monthly  Meetings,  I  felt  that  I  had  performed  the 
service  allotted  me. 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  my  friend,  Dilhvyn 
Parrish,  of  Philadelphia. 

Eighth  Month,  25th,  1S56. 

"Dear  Friend: — Since  I  saw  thee  I  have  often  thought  of  the 
suggestion  thou  offered,  that  I  should  undertake  a  history  of  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends,  and  bring  it  down  so  as  to  include  the  Separation  of 
1827-S.  Many  years  ago  John  Jackson  suggested  to  me  that  I  should 
write  a  history  of  the  Separation,  which  I  was  then  unwilling  to  at- 
tempt, thinking  the  time  had  not  come,  and  more  recently  a  history  of 
the  Society  has  been  suggested  to  me  by  some  of  my  friends.  I  feel 
that  it  would  be  a  great  undertaking,  requiring  research,  labor  and 
experience,  and  several  years  time  for  its  accomplishment,  yet  upon 
reflection,  it  appears  to  me  that  some  one  ought  to  undertake  it.  The 
doctrines  and  testimonies  of  the  Society  are  of  great  importance  to  the 
world,  and  I  think  the  time  will  come  when  they  will  be  more  highly 
appreciated  than  they  have  ever  yet  been. 

"  The  history  of  the  Society  should  be  not  merely  a  detail,  of  the 
disciplinary  proceedings,  with  biographical  sketches  of  its  most  promi- 
nent members,  but  a  comprehensive  statement  of  the  rise  and  spread- 
ing of  its  testimonies,  the  development  of  its  doctrines,  and  the 
influence  they  have  exerted  upon  the  world. 

"  I  think  I  feel  a  growing  interest  and  concern  in  relation  to  this 
matter.  I  have  for  many  years  endeavored  to  hold  myself  in  readi- 
ness for  any  service  that  the  arrangements  of  Divine  Providence  and 
the  promptings  of  religious  duty  seemed  to  require  of  me.  When  my 
friend,  S.  S.  Randall,  of  New  York,  suggested  that  a  new  "  Life  of 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  153 

William  Penn  "  was  needed,  and  urged  me  to  undertake  it.  I  took  it 
into  consideration,  and  found  it  consistent  with  my  sense  of  duty;  but 
without  his  encouragement  it  is  probable  I  should  never  have  thought 
myself  competent  for  the  work.  He  also  recommended  the  Life  of 
Fox,  as  a  subject  for  my  pen,  which  coincided  with  my  own  judgment. 
Both  works  have  been  executed  as  a  "labor of  love,"  affording  peace 
to  my  own  mind  and  attended  with  the  approbation  of  Friends. 

"  The  work  now  proposed  will  be  more  difficult  and  laborious,  and 
I  shall  not  attempt  it  without  the  sympathy  and  encouragement  of 
judicious  Friends  in  your  city. 

Thy  cordial  friend, 

S.  M.  Janney." 

My  friend,  Dillwyn  Parrish,  consulted  some  Friends  in 
Philadelphia  in  relation  to  the  proposed  work,  which  they 
desired  me  to  undertake,  and  they  offered  to  assist  in  ob- 
taining material.  The  books  and  manuscripts  in  their 
possession  were  freely  offered  for  my  use,  and  they  imported 
from  London  a  large  number  of  rare  books,  which,  after  I 
had  used  them,  were  placed  in  Friends'  Library  at  Race 
Street  meeting-house. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

1857- 

Receives  a  minute  to  attend  Ohio  and  Indiana  Yearly  Meetings,  and 
to  appoint  and  attend  some  meetings  within  their  limits — Is  taken 
with  a  hemorrhage  from  the  lungs  in  Illinois — Attends  meetings  in 
much  weakness — Reflections  upon  the  state  of  the  Society  of  Friends 
in  the  West — Salutations  from  London  Yearly  meeting  read  at  the 
Representative  Committee  of  Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting— A.  reply 
to  it  by  him  and  some  others — Some  account  of  the  life  and  death  of 
his  son  John. 

Eighth  Month,  21st. — Having  for  some  time  past  felt  a 
religious  concern  to  visit  Ohio  and  Indiana  Yearly  Meet- 


154  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

ings,  and  to  appoint  and  attend  some  meetings  within 
their  limits,  I  obtained  a  minute  of  concurrence  from 
our  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings,  and  set  out  alone ; 
but  am  to  be  joined  in  a  few  days  by  my  daughter  C.  and 
my  friend  Elijah  Holmes,  who  has  agreed  to  be  my  com- 
panion on  this  journey. 

Eighth  Month,  23d. — Last  evening  I  arrived  at  Browns- 
ville in  the  stage,  and  was  kindly  received  by  my  friends, 
Elisha  Bennett  and  wife. 

First-day  morning  I  attended  the  usual  meeting  -at  West- 
land,  about  seven  miles  from  Brownsville.  Arriving  a  short 
time  before  the  appointed  hour,  but  little  notice  could  be 
given,  and  the  meeting  was  small.  The  Orthodox  Friends 
of  the  Gurney  party  were  at  the  same  time  holding  a  meet- 
ing in  the  other  end  of  the  house  with  nothing  but  a  board 
partition  between  us.  This  circumstance,  together  with 
the  dilapidated  condition  of  the  building,  affected  my  mind 
with  a  feeling  of  gloom,  but  after  sitting  a  considerable 
time,  a  sense  of  duty  impelled  me  to  rise  and  commence 
with  these  words,  "Except  the  Lord  build  the  house  they 
labor  in  vain  that  build  it ;  except  the  Lord  keep  the  city 
the  watchman  walketh  but  in  vain."  As  I  proceeded 
there  seemed  to  be  some  evidence  of  life,  and  I  trust  some 
impression  of  good  was  made.  In  the  afternoon  the  meet- 
ing at  Red  Stone  (near  Brownsville)  was  attended  by  the 
few  Friends  there  in  connection  with  us,  and  by  a  consid- 
erable number  of  Wesleyans  and  others.  I  thought  the 
life  and  love  of  the  gospel  were  felt,  and  I  felt  the  reward 
of  peace. 

Eighth  Month,  26th. — At  New  Brighton,  I  mentioned  to 
my  friend,  Edward  Hoopes,  my  concern  to  hold  a  meet- 
ing for  the  citizens  generally,  and  he  procured  the  use  of 
the  Methodist  meeting-house,  as  that  of  Friends  is  too 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  155 

small  and  not  favorably  situated.  A  large  number  of  dif- 
ferent denominations  attended,  and  soon  after  the  meeting 
was  gathered  into  stillness  I  made  some  remarks  upon  the 
subject  of  Divine  worship,  showing  that  the  benefit  to  be 
derived  from  such  opportunities  depended  upon  the  opera- 
tion of  Divine  grace  upon  each  individual,  for  it  is  not  in 
the  power  of  any  minister,  however  gifted,  to  confer  spir- 
itual blessings  which  must  be  received  immediately  from 
the  Head  of  the  church.  It  is  therefore  the  duty  of  all 
who  are  assembled  for  Divine  worship  to  turn  their  atten- 
tion to  that  ever-present  Power  who  alone  can  aid  us,  and 
as  we  watch  for  the  influences  of  His  grace,  waiting  upon 
Him  in  humble  reverence,  we  shall  be  enabled  to  see  our 
own  states  and  conditions,  and  being  made  sensible  of  our 
spiritual  wants,  the  prayer  of  faith  may  be  offered  up,  which 
is  always  acceptable  in  the  Divine  sight.  After  this  intro- 
duction, the  subject  of  Christ's  Spiritual  Kingdom  was 
opened  to  my  view,  and  I  was  enabled  to  show  that  the 
Rock  on  which  it  is  founded  is  the  immediate  revelation  of 
Divine  Power  in  the  soul — the  same  Holy  Power  which 
enlightened  the  mind  of  the  Apostle  and  enabled  him  to 
say  to  the  Divine  Master,  "  Thou  art  the  Christ  the  son  of 
the  living  God." 

Tne  meeting,  I  thought,  was  brought  under  the  solemn- 
izing influence  of  Divine  Power,  and  I  trust  many  hearts 
were  touched  with  a  sense  of  the  goodness  and  mercy  of 
God,  who  wills  not  the  death  of  the  sinner,  but  that  all 
should  return,  repent  and  live. 

The  next  morning  I  took  the  cars  and  came  to  Colum- 
biana, where  I  attended  their  stated  meeting  on  Fifth-day. 
In  the  evening  I  came  to  Salem,  Ohio,  and  the  following 
day  being  joined  by  my  companion  Elijah  Holmes,  we 
went  with  Samuel  Townsend  to  attend  a  meeting  he  had 


156  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

appointed  at  New  Lisbon.  It  was  intended  chiefly  for 
persons  who  were  members  of  our  Society,  but  have  been 
concerned  with  those  who  have  taken  the  name  of  "  Pro- 
gressive Friends." 

There  being  but  few  of  them  now  in  the  neighborhood, 
the  meeting  was  very  small.  Samuel  Townsend  was  favored 
as  I  thought,  to  speak  pertinently  and  feelingly  to  them, 
holding  forth  encouragement  to  come  back  into  unity  with 
the  body,  by  a  reliance  upon  that  Divine  Principle  which 
we  believe  will  guide  into  all  truth.  I  followed  him  with 
a  brief  exhortation,  showing  that  all  true  reformation  and 
progress  in  the  human  family  must  proceed  from  within ; 
and  by  the  axe  being  laid  to  the  root  of  the  corrupt  tree  in 
the  heart. 

They  seemed  grateful  and  comforted  with  our  labor  of 
love,  and  Ave  parted  with  them  in  Christian  feeling. 

29th. — Attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders — a  satisfactory  time. 

30th,  First-day. — Meeting  in  the  forenoon  was  large,  and 
I  thought  a  favored  opportunity.  I  made  a  few  remarks 
soon  after  it  was  gathered,  intended  to  draw  the  attention 
of  all  to  the  only  source  of  spiritual  aid  and  to  the  great 
object  of  Divine  worship.  Samuel  Townsend  followed  in 
a  communication  that  was  instructive  and  practical.  In 
the  afternoon  meeting,  which  had  been  appointed  at  my 
request,  I  was  exercised  in  gospel  ministry,  I  trust,  with 
some  degree  of  that  holy  anointing  which  alone  can  qualify 
for  the  Lord's  work. 

Eighth  month,  31st. — The  Yearly  Meeting  was  opened 
this  morning,  the  epistles  from  other  Yearly  Meetings 
read,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  answer  them. 

In  the  evening,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Representative  Com- 
mittee, I  spread  before  them  a  concern  that  I  felt  for  the 


Memoirs  of  S.imuel  M.  Janney.  157 

circulation,  among  our  members  and  other  inquiring 
minds,  of  the  writings  of  Friends  for  the  promotion  of 
Christian  principles.  It  took  hold  of  the  Committee,  a 
general  concurrence  was  expressed,  and  another  meeting 
appointed  to  consider  it. 

I  attended  the  adjourned  meeting,  when  the  subject  was 
further  considered,  and  a  general  desire  expressed  that 
libraries  of  suitable  books  for  imparting  religious  know- 
ledge might  be  established  within  the  compass  of  every 
Monthly  meeting  of  Friends.  It  was  concluded  to  recom- 
mend the  subject  to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the 
Yearly  meeting. 

On  the  last  day  of  the  Yearly  meeting  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  Representative  Committee  in  relation  to  books 
was  taken  into  consideration,  and,  being  concurred  in,  it 
was  referred  to  the  Monthly  meetings  far  their  action,  and 
the  Representative  Committee  was  requested  to  aid  them. 

During  the  several  sittings  of  the  Yearly  meeting  much 
harmony  prevailed,  the  business  was  transacted  in  brotherly 
love,  and  many  living  testimonies  were  borne  to  the  excel- 
lency of  those  Christian  testimonies  we  are  called  upon  to 
bear.  Several  members  had  for  many  years  stood  aloof, 
and  absented  themselves  from  meetings  on  account  of  the 
schism  which  took  place  some  years  ago,  when  those  called 
Progressive  Friends  set  up  separate  meetings.  These 
Friends  have  not  been  disowned,  or,  at  least,  very  few  of 
them,  and  now  being  invited  to  attend  the  Yearly  meeting 
some  of  them  came  and  sat  with  us,  much  to  our  satisfac- 
tion, and  I  trust,  also,  to  their  benefit. 

Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  Yearly  meeting  we 
left  Salem,  and  I,  with  my  daughter,  came  to  Richmond, 
near  which  my  sister  Anna  and  her  husband  reside.  After 
spending  one  night  with  them,  I  proceeded  to  Dublin, 


158  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

eighteen  miles,  to  attend  Whitewater  Quarterly  meeting. 
It  was  held  to  my  satisfaction,  and  I  thought  it  a  good 
meeting.  The  most  interesting  business  before  it  was  a 
proposition  from  Fall  Creek  Monthly  meeting  to  modify 
a  rule  of  discipline  adopted  last  year  by  Indiana  Yearly 
meeting  authorizing  Monthly  meetings  to  cut  off  from 
membership,  without  dealing  with  them,  those  who  are  con- 
cerned in  what  are  called  spiritual  manifestations,  or 
professing  to  hold  intercourse  with  the  spirits  of  deceased 
persons.  It  is  proposed  to  modify  this  rule,  so  as  to  labor 
with  such  to  convince  them  of  their  error,  and  to  reclaim 
them,  as  in  all  other  cases  of  offences. 

On  the  subject  of  dealing  with  offenders,  I  thought  it 
right  to  make  some  remarks,  showing  that  the  great  object 
of  Christian  discipline  was  to  reclaim  and  restore  rather 
than  to  cut  off.  We  should  treat  offenders  as  a  good  sur- 
geon treats  a  diseased  limb, — using  every  effort  to  restore 
it  to  health,  and  not  to  amputate  it  so  long  as  a  hope  of  its 
restoration  remains.  The  proposition  was  united  with  by 
the  meeting,  and  sent  up  to  the  Yearly  meeting  on  the 
minutes. 

First-day,  Ninth  month,  6th. — Attended  the  stated  meet- 
ing at  Dublin  in  the  forenoon,  and  an  appointed  meeting 
in  the  afternoon  at  Milton.  In  both  these  I  spoke  at  con- 
siderable length,  and  came  away  from  the  former  well 
satisfied,  but  in  the  latter  I  did  not  feel  the  current  of  Gos- 
pel life  to  flow  so  freely,  nor  was  I  entirely  satisfied  with 
my  communication.  I  believe  it  was  doctrinally  correct, 
and  several  Friends  expressed  their  unity  with  it,  but  I 
thought  it  had  not  enough  of  that  unction  from  on  High 
which  alone  can  render  religious  services  effectual. 

There  was  another  minister  present,  who  spoke  accepta- 
bly in  the  forenoon  before  I  rose;  but  in  the  afternoon  I 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  159 

.did  not  wait  long  enough  for  him,  and  rose  before  my 
mind  was  fully  prepared  for  the  work.  He  spoke  after- 
wards, and  I  was  engaged  in  vocal  supplication,  near  the 
close  of  the  meeting,  which,  I  believe,  had  a  solemnizing 
effect.  I  trust  that  the  cause  of  Truth  did  not  suffer  much 
through  me,  and  yet  I  fear  it  was  not  so  effectually 
advanced  as  it  might  have  been.  May  I  be  watchful  in 
future,  and  humbly  wait  upon  Him  who  putteth  forth  His 
own  sheep  and  goeth  before  them. 

Ninth  month,  9th. — Feeling  a  religious  concern  to  hold  a 
meeting  at  Chester,  near  the  residence  of  my  sister,  and 
being  informed  that  most  of  the  Friends  in  that  neighbor- 
hood are  of  the  class  called  Orthodox,  I  have  thought  it 
right  to  invite  them  to  attend,  and  to  apply  for  the  use  of 
their  meeting  house  this  afternoon.  This  application  I 
have  made  the  more  willingly  from  the  consideration  that 
their  ministers  have  frequently  occupied  our  meeting  house 
at  Goose  Creek,  and  that  I  was  principally  instrumental 
last  autumn  in  obtaining  for  one  of  them  the  use  of  Lom- 
bard Street  house,  in  Baltimore,  at  the  time  of  our  Yearly 
meeting.  The  use  of  the  house  was  granted,  and  many  of 
the  Orthodox  Friends  sat  with  us. 

The  subject  which  presented  itself  to  my  mind  was  the 
universal  brotherhood  of  man  as  expressed  in  Holy  Writ : 
"  Have  we  not  one  Father,  and  hath  not  one  God  created 
us?"  As  we  are  all  the  objects  of  His  love  and  of  His 
providential  care,  we  ought  to  love  one  another;  but  we 
cannot  fulfill  this  great  duty  until  we  comply  with  the  first 
commandment,  by  loving  the  Lord  our  God  with  all  the 
heart,  mind  and  strength  ;  then  He  will  enable  us  to  love 
our  neighbor  as  ourselves.  It  is  the  nature  of  the  unregen- 
erate  heart  to  be  actuated  by  self-love,  and  to  seek  only  its 
own  gratification  or  aggrandizement.     But  the  soul  that 


160  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

comes  under  the  Divine  government,  and  is  regenerated 
by  the  sanctifying  power  of  Divine  grace,  is  actuated  by 
the  love  of  God,  which  induces  it  to  love  all  men, — even 
those  who  are  its  enemies.  The  work  of  man's  salvation 
is  a  work  of  God  in  the  soul,  for  we  cannot,  without 
Divine  assistance,  redeem  ourselves  from  one  single  sin  or 
lust.  And  yet  this  great  work  will  not  be  effected  in  us 
without  our  co-operation;  for  the  Apostle  says,  "Work 
out  your  own  savlation  with  fear  and  trembling."  Never- 
theless, he  adds,  "It  is  God  that  worketh  in  you  both  to 
will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure." 

It  was  testified  by  George  Fox  that  no  man  is  justified 
any  further  than  he  is  sanctified ;  for  the  Apostle  places 
sanctification  before  justification  ;  saying,  "  But  ye  are 
washed,  but  ye  are  sanctified,  but  ye  are  justified  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  and  by  the  spirit  of  our  God." 
There  both  sanctification  and  justification  are  shown  to  be 
the  effect  of  the  same  Divine  power  operating  on  the  heart. 
The  object  of  Christ's  mission  was  to  "  bear  witness  to  the 
truth,"  and  to  reconcile  man  to  his  God  ;  for  "  God  was 
in  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto  Himself."  And  the 
Apostle  Paul  says,  "  We  beseech  you,  therefore,  as  ambas- 
sadors for  Christ,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God."  There  can 
be  no  change  in  Deity — the  change  must  be  in  man  ;  and 
whenever  the  erring  soul  becomes,  like  the  prodigal,  sensi- 
ble of  its  lost  condition,  and  desirous  to  return  to  the 
Father's  house,  being  willing  to  humble  itself,  to  ask  for- 
giveness, and  to  take  the  lowest  place,  the  Father's  love 
will  be  manifested,  and  He  will  rejoice  over  the  returning 
sinner,  saying,  "  This  my  son  that  was  lost  is  found,  and 
he  that  was  dead  is  alive  again."  I  thought  it  was  a  favored 
opportunity  ;  and,  so  far  as  I  know,  the  meeting  was  gener- 
ally satisfactory. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  161 

Ninth  month,  ioth. — We  had  an  appointed  meeting  at 
Newport  in  the  afternoon,  in  the  Wesleyan  meeting  house. 
But  little  notice  had  been  given,  and  very  few  assembled. 
I  thought  for  a  good  while  that  I  should  have  no  commis- 
sion to  say  anything,  but  a  little  matter  in  relation  to  the 
spiritual  law  of  Christ  was  presented,  and,  in  a  few  brief 
remarks,  I  expressed  it. 

nth. — We  came  from  Richmond  to  Chicago.  This  great 
city,  numbering  more  than  100,000  inhabitants,  has  sprung 
up  within  a  few  years,  and  is  now  the  mart  of  trade  for  a 
wide  region  of  fertile  country  in  Illinois  and  Iowa. 

13th. — On  First-day  morning  we  had  an  appointed  meet- 
ing at  the  house  of  our  friend,  Thomas  Perdue,  which  was 
attended  by  thirty  or  forty  persons,  mostly  members  of  our 
Society,  or  in  some  way  connected  with  Friends.  It  was 
a  satisfactory  opportunity  to  me.  In  the  evening  we  had 
a  meeting  appointed  to  be  held  in  a  large  hall  capable  of 
seating  several  thousand  persons.  The  audience  appeared 
small,  and  perhaps  did  not  exceed  two  hundred.  I  thought 
I  was  authorized  to  open  some  spiritual  truths,  and  spoke, 
probably  forty-five  minutes;  but  I  fear  the  impression 
made  was  not  very  deep. 

14th. — We  came  to  Sterling,  in  Illinois,  and  thence  found 
a  conveyance  to  the  house  of  our  friend,  Mark  Penrose, 
two  miles  from  the  town.  Here  I  was  taken  with  a  hem- 
orrhage from  the  lungs,  brought  on,  as  I  suppose,  by  a 
severe  cold  which  I  had  had  for  a  week,  and  by  too  much 
exertion  for  the  state  of  my  respiratory  organs.  It  was  not 
very  copious,  but  the  spitting  of  blood  continued  a  part  of 
the  day  following,  and  was  attended  by  other  symptoms 
that  indicated  the  necessity  of  care  and  rest. 

15  th. — We  attended  two  appointed  meetings ;  one  in  the 
forenoon  in  the  mill  of  our  friend,  Joseph  Wilson,  the 


1 62  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

other  in  the  Court  House  at  Sterling.  They  were  to  me 
satisfactory,  and  the  latter  was,  I  thought,  attended  by  the 
over-shadowing  of  Divine  goodness.  Owing  to  the  weak 
state  of  my  lungs,  I  spoke  deliberately  and  in  a  voice  just 
sufficient  to  be  audible  to  the  meeting  at  large. 

1 6th. — From  Sterling  we  came  to  Mount  Pleasant,  in 
Iowa,  by  railroad.  Most  of  the  journey  was  through  a 
prairie  country,  beautifully  undulating  and  adorned  with 
gorgeous  wild  flowers.  A  considerable  part  of  the  land 
was  fenced  along  the  road,  and  the  corn  crop  was  most 
luxuriant. 

For  the  first  time  I  crossed  the  great  river  Mississippi ; 
which  I  regarded  with  emotions  of  deep  interest  and  admi- 
ration. 

1 8th. — We  spent  at  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa,  and  on  the 
19th  proceeded  to  the  neighborhood  of  Prairie  Grove 
meeting,  where  we  visited  our  friends  who  have  recently 
removed  thither  from  Virginia,  and  have  established  a 
Monthly  meeting  subordinate  to  Fairfax  Quarter. 

We  met  with  a  hearty  welcome,  and  found  them  enjoy- 
ing as  many  of  the  comforts  of  life  as  can  be  expected  in  a 
new  country,  much  of  which  is  still  an  uninclosed  prairie. 
Harmony  and  love  prevail  among  them,  and  they  have  a 
fair  prospect  to  enjoy  a  sufficiency  of  the  fruits  of  the  earth 
from  their  rich  soil  and  beautiful  country. 

First-day,  Ninth  Month,  20th. — We  attended  meeting  in 
the  forenoon  at  Prairie  Grove,  which  was  held  in  a  school- 
house  ;  but  they  expect  soon  to  have  a  good  meeting-house 
of  their  own.  It  was  well  attended,  and  after  a  season  of 
solemn  silence  I  was  enabled  to  communicate  some  views 
which  I  trust  were  received  in  the  love  of  the  gospel.  In 
the  evening  of  the  same  day  we  had  an  appointed  meeting 
in  Mount  Pleasant  (twelve  miles  from  Prairie  Grove),  held 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  163 

in  a  Universalist  Meeting-House.  I  was  led  to  deliver  a 
discourse  on  the  importance  of  coming  to  a  living  experi- 
ence of  Divine  truth  by  attentive  obedience  to  its  operation 
in  the  heart.  For  the  knowledge  of  the  only  true  God  arid 
of  His  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  life  eternal,  can  be  ob- 
tained in  no  other  way  than  by  obedience  to  the  law  of  the 
spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus  which  makes  free  from  the  law 
of  sin  and  death.  The  doctrine  of  original  sin  was  shown 
to  be  inconsistent  with  the  Scriptures  of  truth,  and  the 
salvation  of  the  soul  was  declared  to  be  the  work  of  Divine 
Power  when  co-operated  with  by  those  who  accept  the 
offers  of  redeeming  love,  and  serve  the  Lord  without 
reserve. 

It  was  a  large  meeting,  and  I  thought  a  solemnizing  influ- 
ence was  felt  to  prevail. 

On  Second-day  morning  I  left  Mount  Pleasant  and 
parted  with  my  companion,  E.  Holmes,  who  was  going  to 
visit  his  brother  in  the  interior  of  Iowa.  On  coming  to 
Peoria  with  a  view  to  descend  the  river  Illinois,  and  then 
to  proceed  to  a  Friends'  settlement  near  Vermont,  Fulton 
County,  111.,  I  found  a  boat,  the  captain  of  which  said  he 
would  start  next  morning  at  10  A.  M.  I  concluded  to  go 
in  the  cars  to  Henry  to  visit  some  relatives  and  return  next 
morning  in  time  for  the  boat.  While  waiting  for  the  cars, 
having  nothing  to  do  and  being  among  strangers,  I  rode 
out  to  the  Agricultural  State  Fair  in  the  suburbs  of  the 
town ;  but  I  found  no  satisfaction  in  the  exhibition ;  my 
mind  was  oppressed  with  a  feeling  of  gloom,  and  I  became 
fully  convinced  that  it  was  not  the  place  for  me  while  en- 
gaged on  a  religious  visit.  After  visiting  my  friends  at 
Henry,  I  returned  to  Peoria  and  went  to  the  steamboat  at 
the  appointed  hour,  but  the  captain  said  he  should  not  go 
till  the  next  day,  and  on  further  inquiry  I  was  informed 


164  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

that  he  had  no  intention  of  going  for  several  days ;  but 
had  made  arrangements  to  stay  during  the  fair.  This  was 
a  disappointment,  and  led  me  to  reflect  seriously  whether 
I 'should  wait  for  another  conveyance  or  proceed  home- 
ward. I  concluded  to  wait,  and  during  the  interval  was 
accosted  in  the  street  by  a  stranger  who  proved  to  be  a 
Friend  named  James  Ivins.  He  invited  me  to  his  house, 
where  I  found  others  who  were  members  of  our  Society. 
Being  thus  detained,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  would 
be  right  to  hold  a  meeting  in  Peoria  that  evening,  and  a 
house  being  procured  and  notice  spread,  a  small  company 
assembled.  It  was  not  so  satisfactory  as  I  could  have 
wished,  but  I  trust  no  harm  was  done,  and  if  I  erred  in 
any  particular  it  was  not  intentionally. 

23d. — To-day  I  have  been  travelling  towards  the  settle- 
ment of  Friends  in  Fulton  Co.  My  mind  has  been  more 
than  usually  depressed.  May  the  Author  of  all  good 
enlighten  me  to  see  clearly  His  will  and  enable  me  to  do 
it  faithfully. 

24th. — Attended  a  meeting  at  Friends'  meeting-house 
nearlpava.  The  Friends  in  this  vicinity  are  sufficiently  num- 
erous to  keep  up  a  meeting,  but  many  have  become  luke- 
warm, some  are  deluded  with  Spiritualism,  so-called,  and 
the  discipline  for  several  years  past  has  been  neglected  or 
contemned,  until  the  meeting  has  dwindled  away,  and  is 
now  held  only  on  the  First-day  of  the  week.  The  house 
was  tolerably  well  filled,  and  my  mind  was  impressed  with 
a  sense  of  the  condition  of  some  present  who  were  neglect- 
ing the  highest  interests  of  the  soul  and  rebelling  against 
their  convictions  of  duty  by  devoting  themselves  exclu- 
sively to  temporal  things.  I  was  led  to  make  a  sharp 
expostulation  with  these,  and  to  set  forth  the  necessity  of 
turning  to  the  Lord  with  the  whole  heart  while  the  day  of 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  165 

His  merciful  visitations  is  extended,  lest  the  heart  become 
callous  and  the  eye  of  the  mind  blinded  by  long  continued 
disobedience. 

Near  the  close  of  the  meeting  I  felt  a  concern  for  those 
members  of  the  Society  who  were  present,  and  from  a 
sense  of  duty  exhorted  them  to  keep  to  the  faith  and  the 
doctrines  held  by  our  worthy  predecessors,  avoiding  all 
those  seductive  influences  which  would  lead  them  astray. 
I  also  recommended  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures  and  an 
adherence  to  the  rules  of  our  excellent  discipline.  It  was 
to  me  a  satisfactory  meeting,  and  I  trust  that  a  good 
impression  was  made  on  the  minds  of  many. 

Indiana  Yearly  Meeting  being  near  at  hand,  I  was  under 
the  necessity,  in  order  to  attend  it,  to  travel  night  and  day 
in  the  cars,  and  reached  Richmond  just  in  time;  but  the 
fatigue  of  the  journey,  the  loss  of  rest  and  the  weak  state  of 
my  lungs  rendered  me  incapable  of  entering  fully  into  the 
exercises  of  the  meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  which  I 
attended  in  much  weakness. 

In  the  public  meeting  on  First-day  several  living  testi- 
monies were  borne  to  the  sufficiency  of  that  Divine  Power 
which  is  always  present  with  us,  and  ready  to  save  those 
who  obey  it.  I  had  a  share  in  these  exercises,  and  not- 
withstanding my  bodily  infirmity,  was  enabled  to  bear 
witness  to  the  truth. 

On  Second-day  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  opened  and  the 
epistles  from  other  Yearly  Meetings  read. 

The  most  interesting  business  which  came  before  us  was 
a  proposition  from  White  Water  Quarterly  Meeting,  to 
modify  a  rule  of  discipline  adopted  last  year,  in  relation  to 
those  of  our  members  who  are  concerned  in  Spiritualism, 
so-called.  The  proposed  modification  was  intended  to 
place  such  members  on  the  same  ground  as  other  offenders, 


1 66  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Jarniey. 

so  far  as  to  have  them  admonished  and  efforts  made  to  re- 
claim them  before  they  are  disowned.  Two  ministers  who 
are  very  prominent  in  the  Yearly  Meeting,  opposed  the 
modification,  and  contended  strenuously  that  there  was 
nothing  in  the  rule  adopted  last  year  to  prevent  such  per- 
sons being  dealt  with  as  other  offenders.  I  made  some 
remarks  on  Christian  discipline,  showing  that  the  first 
object  to  be  sought  in  all  cases  was  to  reclaim  and  restore 
the  offender,  and  quoted  the  language  of  George  Fox,  where 
he  says,  "  Let  no  testimony  by  way  of  condemnation  be 
given  forth  against  any  man  or  woman,  whatever  crime 
they  commit,  before  admonition  and  until  such  times  as 
they  have  had  gospel  order  according  to  Christ's  doc- 
trines." 

I  concluded  by  asking  that  the  rule  of  discipline  adopted 
last  year  might  be  read.  It  was  accordingly  read,  when  it 
appeared  clear  to  most  Friends  to  contain  the  objectiona- 
ble feature  complained  of,  and  a  minute  was  made  modify- 
ing or  explaining  it,  so  as  to  allow  Monthly  Meetings  to 
deal  with  such  persons  as  with  other  offenders.  At  a  sub- 
sequent sitting  a  proposition  was  sent  in  from  Women's 
Meeting  expressing  the  same  sentiment,  more  explicitly, 
which  was  concurred  in  and  directed  to  be  inserted  in  the 
Book  of  Discipline. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  concluded  on  Fifth-day,  having 
had  but  one  session  on  each  of  the  three  days,  and  a 
public  meeting  for  worship  on  Fourth-day.  It  was  con- 
sidered very  satisfactory,  and  I  trust  that  the  cause  of 
Truth  has  been  advanced. 

After  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  I  met  with  a 
minister  of  the  Orthodox  branch,  which  is  now  sitting  at 
Richmond.  After  some  very  friendly  conversation  with 
him  and  another  of  their  members  living  in  Richmond,  I 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  167 

informed  them  that  I  had  felt  a  concern  to  sit  with  some 
of  their  members,  and  had  had  one  meeting  among  them  to 
my  own  satisfaction.  I  also  stated  that  I  felt  a  drawing  to 
have  another  meeting  with  them  if  way  was  open  for  it. 
They  expressed  much  doubt  whether  such  a  meeting  would 
be  agreeable  to  their  leading  members ;  but  one  of  them 
undertook  to  mention  the  subject  and  ascertain.  He 
afterwards  informed  me  that  it  was  not  approved,  but  the 
sentiment  was  expressed  among  them  that  we  should  come 
to  them  and  not  they  to  us. 

On  Sixth-day  evening,  at  seven  o'clock,  I  had  an 
appointed  meeting  in  Friends9  Meeting  House  at  Rich- 
mond, but  the  weather  being  unfavorable  the  house  was 
not  quite  full.  I  was  enabled  to  express  some  views  which 
Were  presented  to  my  mind  ;  but  I  thought  the  life  and 
power  of  the  Gospel  were  not  so  fully  manifested  as  at 
some  other  times.  I  came  away  from  the  meeting  not  dis- 
satisfied, but  humbled  under  a  feeling  of  my  own  weakness 
and  insufficiency. 

On  the  First-day  following,  we  attended  meeting  at 
Cincinnati,  and  notice  having  been  given,  the  house  was 
filled  with  an  attentive  audience,  most  of  whom  were  not 
members  of  our  religious  Society.  After  a  season  of  wait- 
ing upon  the  Lord,  during  which  my  secret  petitions  were 
put  up  for  His  blessing  and  guidance,  I  felt  the  stream  of 
Divine  life  to  arise,  and  was  enabled,  I  trust,  to  minister 
in  the  ability  that  God  giveth.  It  was  a  precious  and 
solemn  meeting,  in  which  the  tendering  and  baptizing 
influence  of  Divine  love  was  felt  to  abound,  and  I  could 
thankfully  ascribe  to  the  Author  of  All  Good  the  praise 
and  the  glory  of  His  own  work. 

From  Richmond  to  Cincinnati  we  were  accompanied 
by  my  dear  sister,  Anna  Lupton,  who  resides  near  Rich- 


1 68  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janncy. 

mond.  The  time  I  have  spent  with  her  and  other  near 
relatives  during  this  journey  will  long  be  remembered  with 
satisfaction. 

From  Cincinnati  we  came  to  Waynesville,  Warren 
County,  Ohio,  where  I  have  a  number  of  relatives  residing. 
We  spent  about  a  day  and  a  half  in  social  visits  among 
them,  and  left  in  time  to  attend  the  usual  mid-week  meeting 
at  Green  Plain. 

The  subject  of  appointing  a  meeting  for  Divine  worship 
at  Waynesville  had  been  revolved  in  my  mind  some  days 
before  our  arrival  there,  but  I  could  find  no  authority  to 
do  it,  and  was  so  strongly  drawn  homeward  that  I  did  not 
feel  bound  to  wait  for  their  usual  meeting  day. 

After  attending  the  meeting  at  Green  Plain,  we  came 
immediately  home,  where  we  arrived  the  9th  of  the  Tenth 
month,  having  been  absent  fifty  days,  during  which  I 
travelled  about  2,700  miles,  and  attended  forty-one  meet- 
ings, including  the  several  sittings  of  the  Yearly  Meetings 
of  Ohio  and  Indiana. 

Throughout  the  journey  I  have  thankfully  to  acknow- 
ledge the  protecting  care  and  sustaining  aid  of  my 
Heavenly  Father,  who,  I  believe,  called  me  to  labor  in 
His  vineyard,  and,  if  any  good  has  been  done,  to  Him 
alone  be  the  praise. 

After  returning  from  my  Western  journey,  I  resumed 
my  duties  as  Principal  of  the  board-ing-school  at  Spring- 
dale,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the  Tenth  month  attended 
our  Yearly  Meeting  in  Baltimore.  It  was  a  season  of 
Divine  favor. 

At  our  meeting  for  Sufferings,  a  printed  document  from 
London  Yearly  Meeting,  entitled  "A  Salutation  in  the 
Love  of  Christ  to  All  Who  Bear  the  Name  of  Friends," 
was  introduced  and  read. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  1 69 

My  friend,  B.  Hallowell,  united  with  me  in  thinking 
that  this  furnished  a  favorable  opening  for  us  to  address  a 
friendly  reply  to  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  of  London. 
Several  other  Friends  agreed  with  us  in  sentiment,  and  a 
few  persons  were  named  to  bring  to  our  next  meeting  an 
essay  for  that  purpose.  We  accordingly  presented  a  paper 
drafted  by  B.  Hallowell,  which  was  very  satisfactory  to  the 
meeting ;  but  several  Friends  objected  to  any  communica- 
tion being  sent,  inasmuch  as  the  London  "Salutation" 
was  not  addressed  to  us  as  a  body,  but  as  individuals. 
They  were  willing  that  any  of  us  who  felt  the  concern 
should  address  an  answer  to  the  Friends  in  London  on  our 
individual  responsibility ;  but  they  would  not  consent  for 
the  meeting  to  take  any  action  upon  it. 

We  found  it  best  to  withdraw  the  paper,  as  it  could  not 
be  sent  forward  in  unity ;  and  a  few  of  us  concluded  to 
sign  and  forward  it  in  our  individual  capacity. 

1858,  Third  month,  22nd. — It  is  this  day  two  weeks 
since  we  experienced  the  greatest  affliction  that  has  yet 
attended  us.  l  My  eldest  son,  John,  has  been  removed  by 
death,  and  I  now  feel  -a  void  that,  it  seems  to  me,  never 
can  be  filled. 

From  his  early  youth  he  has  been  the  comfort  and  joy 
of  his  parents.  Always  dutiful  and  affectionate ;  industrious 
in  his  habits,  diligent  in  his  studies,  conscientious  and 
exemplary  in  his  conduct,  attentive  to  his  religious  duties, 
and,  I  believe,  a  sincere  seeker  of  Heavenly  truth.  He 
read  the  Scriptures  frequently,  and  was  a  regular  attender 
of  our  religious  meetings.  He  was  in  the  thirty-second 
year  of  his  age,  and  had  been  for  more  than  ten  years  past 
my  intimate  and  sympathizing  companion.  His  under- 
standing was  naturally  vigorous,  and,  being  enriched  by 
study  and  reflection,  he  manifested  a  maturity  of  intellect 
beyond  his  years. 


1 70  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Some  time  during  the  year  1855  he  took  a  severe  cold, 
which  settled  on  his  lungs,  and  a  distressing  cough  ensued, 
resulting  in  severe  hemorrhages.  As  soon  as  he  recovered 
from  them  sufficiently  to  travel,  his  mother  and  I  went  with 
him  to  the  Red  Sulphur  Springs,  a  distance  of  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles.  The  journey  and  the  healing  qualities 
of  the  Avater  produced  a  remarkable  effect,  and  he  returned 
greatly  improved  in  health.  For  some  months  we  had 
reason  to  hope  that  his  health  would  ultimately  be  restored, 
but  in  the  autumn  of  1857  he  took  another  cold,  which  was 
followed  by  chills,  and  we  felt  much  apprehension  that  his 
lungs  were  diseased  beyond  recovery.  My  daily  visits  at 
his  house  are  treasured  in  my  memory  as  seasons  of  precious 
enjoyment ;  but  how  often  on  leaving  that  abode  of  peace 
and  love  has  my  heart  sunk  within  me  at  the  thought  that 
the  time  was  probably  near  at  hand  when  we  must  resign 
him  who  was  the  object  of  our  fond  solicitude  and 
increasing  love. 

On  the  7th  of  the  Third  month  he  was  taken  much 
worse,  and  when  our  physician  arrived  he  told  me  that 
John  could  last  but  a  little  while  unless  he  got  relief. 
Upon  the  dear  sufferer-  being  asked  if  he  felt  the  Divine 
power  to  be  near  him,  as  he  was  passing  through  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  he  answered  :  "  Oh,  yes,  yes  !  He 
is  merciful." 

At  his  bedside  I  offered  up  a  prayer  to  the  Father  of 
Mercies,  whose  holy  power  was  present  to  sustain  the 
parting  soul.  His  dear  wife,  who  sat  nearest  to  him,  heard 
him  in  prayer,  and,  bending  her  ear  towards  him,  she  dis- 
tinguished the  words,  "  My  Saviour,  take  me  to  Thyself. 
Be  merciful,  and  hear  my  prayer."  These  were  the  last 
words  that  were  understood.  He  closed  his  eyelids  with 
his  own  hand,  then  dropped  his  hand  upon  his  breast,  and 
ceased  to  breathe. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  171 

I  have  no  doubt  his  purified  spirit  has  gone  to  Heavenly- 
rest,  and  now  is  in  the  company  of  the  "  Spirits  of  just 
men  made  perfect,"  where  they  "join  in  adoration  and 
praise  to  the  Lord  God  and  to  the  Lamb." 

We  feel  that  we  ought  to  be  thankful  to  the  Author  of  All 
Good  for  the  gift  of  such  a  son  so  uniformly  good  from  his 
infancy, — so  beloved  of  all  who  knew  him.  It  is,  however, 
a  trying  dispensation,  which  nothing  short  of  Divine  aid 
can  enable  us  to  support  with  becoming  resignation. 

Eighth  month,  28th,  185S. — Since  our  great  bereave- 
ment, in  the  death  of  our  dear  son,  I  have  felt  less  ability 
than  usual  for  attending  to  temporal  business,  and  yet  I 
feel  assured  that  it  is  best  to  make  an  effort  to  perform  all 
my  duties. 

In  the  early  part  of  this  month  I  performed,  with  the 
approbation  of  our  Monthly  Meeting,  a  religious  visit  to 
the  meetings  composing  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting,  and 
appointed  meetings  in  various  places.  In  this  service  I 
was  accompanied  by  our  friend,  Rebecca  Price,  and  my 
daughter  Cornelia. 

We  attended  twelve  meetings,  all  of  which  were  satisfac- 
tory, and  some  of  them  were  seasons  of  peculiar  favor,  in 
which  we  were  enabled,  through  Divine  aid,  to  experience 
and  declare  to  others  the  baptizing  power  of  Heavenly 
Truth. 

In  looking  back  upon  this  little  journey,  I  feel  peace  of 
mind,  and  remember  with  much  satisfaction  many  precious 
seasons  of  Divine  favor. 

May  I  always  bear  in  mind  the  unmerited  blessings  1 
have  enjoyed,  and  may  I  stand  resigned  to  every  dispensa- 
tion of  Divine  Providence,  remembering  that  He  who  gave 
has  a  right  to  take  away,  and  to  dispose  of  me  according 
to  His  holy  will. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

1859-60. 

Visit  to  Warrington  and  other  Meetings  belonging  to  that  Quarter — 
Attends  Philadelphia  and  New  York  Yearly  Meetings,  and  some 
Meetings  composing  them — Journey  to  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland. 

1859,  First  month,  1st. — Another  year  has  passed  away, 
— a  year  that  has  been  rendered  memorable  to  me  by 
affliction  and  bereavement ;  but  through  the  condescend- 
ing mercy  of  my  Heavenly  Father  I  have  been  sustained, 
and,  at  many  times,  comforted  with  His  holy  presence  and 
life-giving  power. 

Oh !  thou  gracious  and  ever  present  Saviour  !  Be  pleased 
still  to  be  with  me  through  life,  enabling  me,  more  and 
more,  to  devote  myself  to  Thy  service,  and  when  it  shall 
please  Thee  to  call  me  hence,  may  I,  through  Thy  grace, 
be  prepared  for  the  change,  and  strengthened  through  Thy 
power  to  pass  through  the  Valley  of  the  Shadow  of  Death, 
fearing  no  evil,  and  confiding  in  Thy  mercy.  Thou  seest 
all  my  thoughts,  Thou  knowestall  my  motives;  be  pleased, 
through  the  operation  of  Thy  holy  spirit,  to  cleanse  my 
heart  from  all  evil ;  that  my  affections  may  be  set  on 
Heavenly  things,  and  my  life  devoted  wholly  to  Thee  and 
to  Thy  cause  of  righteousness  and  Truth. 

Having  for  some  time  past  felt  a  religious  concern  to 
attend  Warrington  Monthly  Meeting  in  York  County,  Pa., 
I  opened  the  prospect  in  our  Monthly  Meeting,  and 
received  a  minute  of  concurrence,  dated  Seventh  month, 
1859.  The  same  day,  being  accompanied  by  my  friend, 
(172) 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  1 73 

Jesse  Hoge,  who  has  lately  appeared  in  the  Gospel 
ministry,  we  set  out  on  our  journey,  and  proceeded  to 
Waterford.  The  next  evening  we  'reached  Pipe  Creek, 
where  our  friend,  William  Shepherd,  agreed  to  accompany 
us. 

On  Seventh-day  evening  we  reached  the  neighborhood 
of  Warrington,  and,  notice  being  spread,  there  was  on 
First-day  morning  a  considerable  number  of  Friends  and 
others  assembled  at  the  Meeting  House.  I  was  enabled, 
through  Divine  aid,  as  I  trust,  to  open  to  them  some 
important  truths  relating  to  the  soul's  salvation,  and  the 
Lord's  power  was  felt  to  be  near  us,  by  which  our  hearts 
were  bowed  in  reverence  before  Him. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  we  attended  an 
appointed  meeting  at  Newberry,  about  ten  miles  distant, 
and  were  favored  with  a  solemn  and  instructive  season  of 
Divine  worship.  The  meetings  of  Friends  in  these  two 
places  had  for  several  years  been  declining.  Some  of  the 
members  had  become  disaffected  towards  the  Society,  and 
all  were  discouraged  or  lukewarm ;  so  that  very  few  had 
been  attending  any  of  their  meetings,  and  no  meetings  for 
discipline  had  been  held  among  them  for  eleven  months. 

We  immediately  began  a  series  of  family  visits  to  Friends 
of  Newberry  and  Warrington  meetings ;  and  in  the  course 
of  four  days  sat  with  nearly  all  of  them  in  their  own  houses 
— being  about  twenty-two  families.  The  country  being 
hilly,  the  roads  rough,  and  the  families  scattered  at  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  each  other,  the  service  was  labori- 
ous. But  we  were  favored  with  the  Divine  Master's  pre- 
sence, and,  through  His  grace,  counsel  and  encouragement 
were  administered  suited  to  their  conditions. 

On  Fifth-day  we  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting  at 
Warrington,  which  had  been  discontinued  since  the  Eighth 


174  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

month  last  year.  In  the  meeting  for  worship  the  baptizing 
power  of  Divine  truth  was  experienced  to  be  with  us,  and 
many  hearts  were  greatly  tendered  under  its  influence.  In 
the  meeting  for  discipline  there  were  about  a  dozen  of  each 
sex  present,  to  whom  suitable  counsel  was  given  in  relation 
to  the  importance  of  attending  to  their  religious  duties  in 
preference  to  all  temporal  concerns. 

It  was  shown,  however,  that  our  temporal  business  and 
our  religious  duties  do  not  conflict  with  each  other;  for 
there  is  a  time  for  all  things ;  and  if  we  seek  first  the  king- 
dom of  God  and  his  righteousness,  all  things  needful  will 
be  added.  And  moreover,  we  have  the  assurance  that 
godliness  is  profitable  for  all  things,  having  the  promise  of 
the  life  that  now  is  and  that  which  is  to  come. 

The  members  being  called  upon  to  express  their  senti- 
ments in  regard  to  keeping  up  their  meetings,  nearly  all 
of  them  rose  in  succession,  expressing  a  desire  for  their 
continuance,  and  a  willingness  to  make  a  renewed  effort  to 
maintain  them. 

The  result  of  our  labors  among  them  was  encouraging 
and  satisfactory.  If  any  good  has  been  done,  to  Him  be 
the  praise  whose  Divine  word  sustained  our  feeble  efforts. 

On  Sixth-day,  in  the  forenoon,  we  had  an  appointed 
meeting  at  Huntingdon,  and  in  the  afternoon,  after  riding 
twelve  miles,  attended  one  at  Monallen  Meeting  House. 
These  were  both  favored  and  satisfactory  meetings,  being 
accompanied  with  the  solemnizing  influence  of  Divine  love 
and  life. 

On  Seventh-day,  we  came  about  forty  miles  to  Pipe 
Creek,  where  we  attended  meeting  on  First-day  in  the  fore- 
noon, and  in  the  afternoon  we  rode  sixteen  miles  to  an 
appointed  meeting  at  Bush  Creek  Meeting  House,  near 
Newmarket.     These  meetings  were  large,  there  being  many 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  175 

present  of  other  religious  persuasions,  and  the  Lord  of  life 
and  glory  was  pleased  to  manifest  His  presence  by  the 
breaking  of  bread.  The  doctrines  preached  were  chiefly 
of  a  practical  nature,  showing  that  Christianity  is  the 
manifestation  of  Divine  life  in  the  souls  of  men,  to  purify 
and  redeem  them  from  all  iniquity,  and  to  introduce  them 
into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God. 

On  Second-day,  the  25th  of  Seventh  month,  we  returned 
to  our  homes  with  thankful  hearts  and  the  reward  of  peace. 
My  companion,  Jesse  Hoge,  during  this  journey  was  a 
truly  sympathizing  friend,  and  his  mouth  was  opened  a  few 
times  in  Gospel  ministry  to  my  great  satisfaction. 

i860,  Fifth  month,  3rd. — Having  obtained  a  minute  of 
unity  from  our  Monthly  Meeting  to  attend  the  Yearly 
Meetings  of  Philadelphia  and  New  York,  and  to  attend  and 
appoint  meetings  on  the  way,  going  and  returning,  I  set 
out,  accompanied  by  my  friend  Jesse  Hoge  as  companion. 

Fifth  month,  6th. — At  Deer  Creek,  in  Harford  County, 
Maryland,  we  attended  their  meeting  on  First-day  morn- 
ing, and  had  an  appointed  meeting  in  the  afternoon  at 
Broad  Creek  Meeting  House. 

They  were  satisfactory  and  comfortable  meetings.  At 
the  house  of  my  brother-in-law,  Joseph  H.  Jewett,  we 
found  a  very  pleasant  home,  and  the  conversation  of  my 
dear  sister  Tacy  was  cheering  and  encouraging. 

In  Philadelphia  we  staid  at  the  house  of  my  kind  cousin 
John  Saunders,  where  I  always  make  my  home  when  in 
that  city. 

7th. — Attended  Philadelphia  Quarterly  Meeting  of  min- 
isters and  elders. 

8th. — The  Quarterly  Meeting  was  satisfactory.  During 
the  season  of  public  Divine  worship  we  were  favored  to 
draw  nigh  to  the  Fountain  of  Life,  and  to  partake  of  the 


176  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

healing  waters.     I  was  engaged  in  ministry,  briefly,  but  I 
believe  to  the  satisfaction  of  my  friends. 

9th  and  10th. — Attended  Abington  Quarterly  Meeting, 
which  was  a  season  of  Divine  favor. 

Fifth  month,  12th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  of  ministers 
and  elders  was  satisfactory,  my  lot  being  mostly  that  of  a 
silent  watchman. 

13th. — On  First-day  morning  we  attended  the  meeting 
for  worship  on  Race  Street.  It  was  a  very  large  congrega- 
tion, and  I  found  it  my  duty  to  declare  the  riches  of  Divine 
love  as  manifested  in  the  coming  of  Christ  in  the  flesh  and 
in  the  spirit.  Referring  to  his  reading  in  the  synagogue 
the  prophecy  of  Isaiah  concerning  himself,  as  being 
anointed  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  to  preach  the  Gospel  to 
the  poor,  to  heal  the  broken-hearted,  to  preach  deliverance 
to  the  captives,  and  the  "opening  of  the  prison  doors  to 
them  that  are  bound,"  I  pointed  out  the  effect  of  his  mis- 
sion to  restore  the  lost,  to  comfort  the  afflicted,  and  to 
reform  the  world.  Not  only  was  his  power  manifested 
during  the  days  of  his  personal  ministry,  but  also  after 
His  resurrection,  through  the  ministry  of  his  Apostles; 
for  he  ascended  up  on  high,  led  captivity  captive,  and 
gave  gifts  to  man. 

Peter,  when  speaking  by  Divine  inspiration  on  the  Day 
of  Pentecost,  refers  to  the  mediation  of  Christ,  saying, 
"  He  being  by  the  right  hand  of  God  exalted  hath  shed 
forth  this  which  we  now  see  and  hear."  He  who  had  been 
with  them  in  the  flesh  had  then  come  in  the  spirit,  and  he 
promised  to  be  with  them  to  the  end  of  the  world.  We 
believe  in  his  spiritual  appearance  as  a  life-giving  power 
that  redeems  the  obedient  soul,  and  to  this  we  call  the 
attention  of  the  people  as  to  "a  rock  disallowed  indeed  of 
men,  but  chosen  of  God,  and  precious." 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  177 

In  the  evening  we  attended  the  meeting  at  Green  Street, 
which  was  satisfactory.  It  was  my  lot  to  be  silent,  except 
in  supplication  at  the  close,  and  I  thought  the  Lord's  pre- 
sence was  felt  among  us. 

On  Second-day,  the  13th,  the  Yearly  Meeting  was 
opened,  and  continued  its  sittings  until  Sixth-day.  There 
was  a  large  attendance  of  Friends,  and  much  interest  mani- 
fested by  the  younger  part  of  the  Society,  which  was 
encouraging.  There  appears  to  me  to  be  much  vitality  in 
Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting,  and  a  freedom  of  expression 
that  I  have  not  seen  so  fully  manifested  elsewhere.  There 
is,  however,  on  the  part  of  some  active  spirits  a  want  of 
proper  qualification  to  take  part  in  its  proceedings,  which 
renders  their  communications  burdensome  to  the  living 
members  of  the  body. 

Even  some  who  stand  as  accredited  ministers  are  so  un- 
watchful  or  unskilful  that  they  sometimes  mar  the  work 
they  desire  to  promote  by  unseasonable  or  unwarranted 
communications.  I  endeavored  to  show  the  propriety  of 
keeping  to  the  point,  directing  our  attention  to  the  subject 
under  consideration,  and  expressing  our  concern  as  con- 
cisely and  clearly  as  possible.  In  these  solemn  meetings 
we  should  wait  for  wisdom  from  above,  watch  over  our  own 
spirits,  and  seek  only  to  promote  the  good  of  the  body  and 
the  glory  of  God. 

On  First-day,  the  20th  of  Fifth  month  (my  companion 
having  gone  home),  I  attended  the  meeting  at  Gwynedd 
in  the  morning  to  satisfaction.' 

In  the  afternoon  I  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Ply- 
mouth, which  was  rather  laborious,  there  being,  as  I 
thought,  a  want  of  spiritual  life.  My  friend,  Joel  Lare,  a 
lively  and  excellent  minister,  residing  there,  followed  me 
in  a  brief  communication. 

12 


178  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

At  night  I  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Norristown, 
which  was  largely  attended  by  persons  not  in  membership 
-with  us.  It  proved  to  be  an  open  and  satisfactory  meeting, 
in  which,  I  trust,  the  Word  of  life  was  felt  as  a  quickening 
spirit  in  our  midst.  The  chief  subject  of  my  communica- 
tion was  in  answer  to  the  question,  "What  is  Quakerism?" 
showing  that  the  principles  professed  by  Friends  are  the 
same  as  primitive  Christianity,  and  that  the  religion  of 
Christ  is  a  life-giving  power  revealed  in  the  soul  to  redeem 
us  from  all  evil,  and  introduce  us  into  the  glorious  liberty 
of  the  children  of  God. 

21st. — Returned  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

22nd. — Went  to  Byberry,  and  staid  at  the  house  of 
Nathaniel  Richardson,  accompanied  by  my  friend  Daniel 
Walker,  who  purposes  going  with  me  to  New  York. 

23rd. — Accompanied  by  N.  Richardson  and  D.  Walker, 
I  attended  meeting  at  Falsington,  where  I  was  engaged  in 
Gospel  ministry.  Andrew  Dorland,  of  New  York,  was 
also  present,  and  spoke  to  edification.  Our  ancient  friend, 
Samuel  Comfort,  was  present,  and  appeared  in  a  lively 
testimony.  It  was  a  solemn  and  satisfactory  meeting. 
We  spent  part  of  the  afternoon  at  Samuel  Comfort's,  and 
enjoyed  his  instructive  conversation. 

In  the  afternoon  we  went  to  Bristol,  where  an  evening 
meeting  was  appointed  for  me.  It  was  a  season  of  Divine 
favor,  in  which,  I  trust,  the  Gospel  was  preached  to  the 
edification  and  comfort  of  many. 

25th.— Attended  a  meeting  at  Byberry  at  the  usual  hour, 
and  in  the  evening  an  appointed  meeting  at  Trenton. 
Through  Divine  aid  I  was  enabled  to  address  the  people 
on  the  doctrines  of  life  and  salvation  by  Christ,  showing 
that  as  in  the  time  of  his  personal  advent,  he  healed  the 
diseases  of  the  body  and  raised  the  dead  to  life,  so  in  his 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  1 79 

inward  and  spiritual  manifestation  now,  as  the  life  and 
power  of  God,  he  heals  the  maladies  of  the  soul,  cleanses 
from  the  leprosy  of  sin,  and  raises  from  spiritual  death  to 
a  life  of  holiness. 

The  meetings  were  both  favored  with  the  evidence  of 
Divine  life. 

Fifth  month,  26th. — Arrived  in  New  York,  and  found  a 
pleasant  home  at  the  house  of  our  friend  Josiah  Macy. 

27th. — Attended  Yearly  Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders. 

28th. — On  First-day  morning  attended  meeting  for 
worship  at  Twenty-seventh  Street.  It  was  a  large  and 
interesting  meeting.  I  was  enabled  to  speak,  with  a  satis- 
factory evidence  of  the  holy  anointing,  on  the  doctrines 
of  life  and  salvation,  showing  what  it  is  that  constitutes  the 
Christian,  which  was  illustrated  by  reference  to  the  life  of 
the  Apostle  Peter.  After  he  had  been  called  to  preach  the 
doctrine  of  repentance,  and  had,  through  Divine  revela- 
tion, acknowledged  Jesus  to  be  the  Christ,  the  son  of  the 
living  God,  he  was,  through  unwatchfulness,  induced  to 
deny  his  Master,  and  he  took  up  the  sword,  and  cut  off 
the  ear  of  the  high  priest's  servant,  being  at  that  time  not 
fully  acquainted  with  the  spiritual  nature  of  Christ's  king- 
dom. But  after  he  was,  on  the  Day  of  Pentecost,  baptized 
with  the  holy  spirit,  he  became  a  new  man  in  Christ,  being 
made  willing  to  suffer  for  the  truth,  and  endued  with  power 
from  on  high  which  enabled  him  to  follow  in  the  footsteps 
of  his  Divine  Master.  Rebecca  Price  followed  in  a 
lively  exhortation,  and  our  friend,  John  Hunt,  preached 
the  Gospel  with  authority. 

In  the  afternoon  I  attended  meeting  at  Brooklyn,  where 
I  was  engaged  in  Gospel  ministry  to  my  own  peace  of 
mind,  believing  that  our  holy  Helper  was  with  us. 

Fifth-day,  Fifth  month,  31st,  i860.  The  Yearly  meeting 


180  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

took  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  furnishing  better 
accommodations  for  its  annual  sittings,  and  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  consider  the  subject  and  report  in  the 
afternoon.  When  this  matter  was  thus  disposed  of,  I 
opened  to  the  meeting  some  views  that  had  impressed  my 
mind  in  relation  to  the  education  of  youth.  Seeing  that 
a  very  large  proportion  of  our  members  are  such  by  birth 
right  it  is  obvious  that  the  prosperity  of  the  body  is  greatly 
dependent  upon  the  guarded  religious  education  of  Friends' 
children,  and  not  only  parents,  but  the  Society  itself  has  a 
responsible  duty  to  perform  towards  them.  Believing  as 
we  do  that  all  the  gifts  of  our  beneficent  Creator  are  in- 
tended to  be  improved,  it  appears  evident  that  intellectual 
faculties  should  be  devoloped  and  invigorated  by  a  suitable 
education;  but  more  especially  should  the  moral  and  spir- 
itual condition  of  the  young  be  carefully  attended  to,  by 
parents  and  by  Friends,  whose  religious  experience  has 
qualified  them  to  instruct  others.  In  this  great  city  there 
are  many  youths  and  young  men  who  have  come  from  the 
country  to  obtain  business,  being  separated  from  their  rela- 
tives and  exposed  to  many  temptations,  they  need  the  care 
and  sympathy  of  their  elder  brethren,  who  might  confer 
upon  them  a  lasting  benefit  by  timely  notice  and  kind 
attentions.  I  alluded  to  the  example  of  Peter  Bedford  of 
London  who  made  it  his  especial  care  t'o  invite  such  young 
men  frequently  to  his  house,  and  by  kindly  intercourse  with 
them  encouraged  them  to  pursue  the  path  of  duty. 
Addressing  the  young  men  present  I  endeavored  to  set  be- 
fore them  the  duty  of  devoting  their  hearts,  early  in  life,  to 
the  service  of  God,  as  the  only  means  of  fulfilling  the  great 
end  of  their  being ;  securing  their  own  well  being  here 
and  preparing  them  for  eternal  happiness  hereafter.  I  felt 
that  I  was  in  this  communication,  assisted  by  Divine  favor 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  181 

and  the  meeting  appeared  to  be  brought  into  a  state  of 
precious  solemnity. 

Several  Friends  followed  in  confirmation  of  these  views, 
and  some  of  the  younger  members  not  much  accustomed 
to  speaking  in  meeting,  expressed  their  deep  sense  of  the 
importance  of  a  guarded,  religious  education,  which  they 
thought  the  Yearly  Meeting  could  promote  by  the  establish- 
ment of  a  school  or  schools  for  the  instruction  of  youth 
in  membership  with  us.  The  subject  was  left  for  the  fur- 
ther consideration  of  the  meeting,  with  the  understanding, 
that  it  might  be  revived  at  another  sitting.  In  the  after- 
noon the  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  subject  of 
better  accomodation  for  the  Yearly  Meeting,  made  a  re- 
port recommending  the  building  of  a  new  meeting  house 
in  the  city,  which  was  united  with  by  the  meeting. 

A  deputation  from  the  Women's  Meeting  informed  us 
that  they  had  the  subject  of  education  before  them,  and 
having  appointed  a  committee  to  consider  it  they  requested 
the  co-operation  of  men  Friends.  The  Men's  Meeting  being 
prepared  by  the  consideration  of  the  same  subject  in  the 
previous  sitting  entered  into  the  concern,  and  appointed  a 
committee  to  unite  with  that  of  the  Women's  Meeting. 

An  evening  meeting  for  worship  having  been  appointed 
for  Rebecca  Price  and  myself  at  Jersey  City,  we  left  the 
Yearly  Meeting  a  short  time  before  its  adjournment,  and 
crossed  the  Hudson  to  attend  it.  It  was  held  in  the  Ly- 
ceum Hall  and  proved  to  be  a  satisfactory  opportunity. 

On  Sixth-day  evening  (Sixth  month  ist,)  accompanied  by  i 
my  friend  Daniel  Walker,  I  went  to  Chatham,  Columbia 
County,  New  York. 

At  the  house  of  our  friend  John  Coffin,  I  found  a  warm 
welcome,  and  spent  two  days  in  the  neighborhood  very 
pleasantly.    On  First-day  we  attended  Friends'  meeting  at 


1 82  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Chatham,  and  at  night  had  an  appointed  meeting  in  a 
Methodist  meeting  house  at  East  Chatham.  I  thought 
they  were  seasons  of  Divine  favor  and  deep  solemnity,  and 
to  Him  who  alone  can  help  us  I  desire  to  ascribe  the  praise. 

i860,  Eighth  month,  24th. — Having  obtained  from  our 
Monthly  Meeting  a  Minute  of  concurrence  with  my  pros- 
pect to  pay  a  religious  visit  to  Friends  of  the  Southern 
and  Baltimore  Quarterly  Meetings  and  to  appoint  some 
meetings  within  their  limits,  I  took  leave  of  my  family  and 
proceeded  to  Baltimore.  In  that  city  I  called  on  my 
esteemed  friend  John  Needles,  who,  I  found,  had  a  con- 
cern to  attend  the  Southern  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  I 
gladly  accepted  his  company. 

On  Seventh-day,  the  25th,  we  took  passage  in  a  steam- 
boat and  crossed  the  bay  to  the  Eastern  Shore.  On  our 
way  we  touched  at  West  River,  and  John  Needles  pointed 
out  to  me  the  site  where  Friends'  Meeting  House  formerly 
stood,  but  it  has  long  since  gone  to  decay  and  none  of  our 
Society  are  now  found  in  this  neighborhood,  where  the 
Yearly  Meeting  was  held  in  early  times. 

It  is  said  that  the  slave  ships  were  in  those  days  anchored 
in  the  harbor  at  West  River,  and  Friends,  after  attending 
Yearly  Meeting,  would  sometimes  go  on  board  to  select 
slaves  for  their  plantations.  How  thankful  we  should  feel 
that  our  ancestors  were,  through  Divine  grace,  afterwards 
enabled  to  see  the  iniquity  of  that  practice,  and  to  relin- 
quish it  at  a  time  when  almost  all  others  were  involved  in 
it,  and  apparently  unconscious  of  its  enormous  wickedness. 
If  individuals  and  communities  would  watch  for  the  dis- 
coveries of  Divine  light  and  follow  the  guidance  of  the 
Good  Shepherd,  He  would  lead  them  out  of  all  evil  and 
preserve  them  in  the  paths  of  purity  and  peace.  On 
reaching  Miles  River  bridge  we  landed  at  a  place  not  far 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  183 

distant  from  Betty's  Cove,  where  the  first  Friends'  Meeting 
house  in  this  vicinity ;  was  located  the  distance  from  Betty's 
Cove  to  Third  Haven  Creek  (formerly  called  Trade  Haven) 
is  very  short,  probably  not  exceeding  a  mile  or  two.  The 
great  meeting  attended  by  George  Fox,  John  Burnyeat  and 
other  ministering  Friends  in  1672,  must  have  been  held  at 
Betty's  Cove,  or  in  a  temporary  building,  as  the  meeting 
house  at  Third  Haven  was  not  built  until  about  ten  years 
afterwards,  but  meetings  were  sometimes  held  at  John 
Edmundson's  house,  on  the  farm  from  which  the  meeting 
house  lot  at  Third  Haven  was  taken  in  16S2. 

Third-day,  Eighth  month,  26th. — We  attended  Third 
Haven  meeting,  which  was  small.  It  was  however  comfort- 
able, in  which  my  companion  spoke  acceptably,  and  I 
was  engaged  in  a  brief  communication. 

On  Second-day  I  found  interesting  employment  in  exam- 
ining the  old  Records  of  the  Monthly  and  Quarterly 
Meetings,  commencing  in  the  year  1676.  Friends  in  those 
early  times,  though  zealous  for  the  cause  of  Truth,  had 
their  difficulties  and  short-comings  as  well  as  we  of  this 
generation.  The  general  standard  of  morality  was  lower 
then  than  it  is  now  in  the  community  at  large,  and  Friends 
being  extremely  particular,  and  perhaps  rigid,  in  dealing 
with  offenders,  their  records  show  many  delinquencies. 

On  Third- day  we  attended  the  meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders. 

On  Fourth-day,  the  29th  of  Eighth  month,  the  Southern 
Quarterly  meeting  was  held.  It  appeared  to  me  small, 
but  I  thought  some  of  the  ministers  in  attendance  were 
favored  with  Divine  life  ;  for  myself,  I  found  but  little 
ability  to  speak  of  the  things  of  God. 

In  the  evening  I  had  an  appointed  meeting  in  Easton, 
which  was  attended  by  many  not  in  membership  with  us- 


1 84  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

I  was  favored  with  ability  to  declare  the  truths  of  the  ever- 
lasting Gospel,  showing  the  spirituality  of  the  Christian  dis- 
pensation, and  the  necessity  of  being  washed  in  the  laver 
of  regeneration.  Our  friend  Samuel  Townsend,  ofBaltimore, 
followed  in  a  lively  communication,  and  the  meeting  was 
concluded  with  vocal  supplication. 

On  Fifth-day,  the  30th,  a  youth's  meeting  was  held,  as 
usual,  at  the  meeting  house.  The  service  fell  chiefly  on 
me,  and  the  subject  that  was  opened  to  my  mind  and 
declared  to  the  people,  related  to  the  call,  qualification 
and  compensation  of  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  It  was 
shown  that  the  call  to  this  solemn  service  and  the  qualifi- 
cation for  it  must  come  from  God,  who  prepares  the  ves- 
sels for  His  use  by  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  renew- 
ing of  the  Holy  spirit ;  and  makes  impressions  upon  the 
minds  of  his  ministers  by  which  they  are  led,  from  a  sense 
of  duty,  to  speak  of  those  things  which  "their  eyes  have 
seen  and  their  hands  have  handled  of  the  word  of  life." 
As  the  call  and  qualification  are  spiritual,  so  also  is  the 
compensation ;  for  he  who  hands  forth  to  others  the  bread 
which  Christ  hath  blessed,  partakes  of  the  fragments  that 
are  left  and  is  abundantly  rewarded  by  the  Head  of  the 
church  without  looking  to  man  for  reward. 

The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire,  but  the  gospel  minis- 
ter being  employed  by  the  Divine  Master,  looks  to  Him 
and  not  to  man  for  his  hire,  which  is  peace  of  mind  and 
assurance  of  Divine  favor. 

The  meeting  was  solemn,  and  it  was  thought  to  be  a 
season  of  Divine  visitation. 

Sixth-day,  the  31st  of  Eighth  month. — We  crossed  the 
river  Choptank  into  Caroline  County,  and  attended  an  ap- 
pointed meeting  at  Snow  Hill  Meeting  House,  near  the 
town  of  Preston. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  185 

It  was  a  full  meeting,  being  attended  by  many  of  the 
Methodists,  who  sat  in  a  solid  and  attentive  manner  while 
I  was  engaged  in  declaring  the  doctrine  of  salvation  through 
Christ,  as  an  inward  and  spiritual  deliverer  from  the  bond- 
age of  corruption. 

Seventh-day,  the  1st  of  Ninth  month. — We  attended  an 
appointed  meeting  at  Pine  Grove.  There  are  but  few 
Friends  belonging  to  this  meeting,  but  many  Methodists 
attended,  and  among  them  were  two  of  their  ministers. 

My  companion  was  first  called  into  service,  and  deliv- 
ered a  lively  testimony  showing  the  necessity  of  attending 
to  small  things  when  required  of  us  as  a  religious  duty, 
which  he  illustrated  by  reference  to  the  command  to  Naa- 
man  to  wash  seven  times  in  Jordan  for  the  cleansing  of 
his  leprosy,  which  he  at  first  thought  was  too  small  a  thing 
to  effect  so  great  a  cure. 

I  was  then  led  to  declare  the  goodness  and  power  of 
God  in  the  redemption  of  man  from  the  dominion  of  sin, 
referring  to  the  words  of  the  Divine  Master:  "  The  works 
that  I  do  shall  ye  do  also,  and  greater  works  than  these, 
because  I  go  to  my  Father."  He,  indeed,  through  the 
power  of  God  dwelling  in  him,  cast  out  demons,  healed 
diseases  and  raised  the  dead ;  but  these  great  works  being 
performed  on  the  bodies  of  men  were  temporary  in  their 
character,  whereas  the  works  wrought  by  the  same  Divine 
power  upon  the  soul, — healing  its  diseases  and  raising  it 
from  death  to  life, — are  permanent,  and  if  we  continue 
faithful,  will  endure  forever. 

It  was  a  precious  meeting,  and  concluded  in  fervent 
prayer  and  thanksgiving  to  the  Author  of  all  good. 

First-day,  Ninth  month,  2nd. — We  attended  Centre 
Meeting  in  the  forenoon.  It  is  usually  very  small,  but 
notice  being  given,  the  house  was  full.     Several  of  the 


1 86  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

young  men  behaved  rudely,  and  there  seemed  to  be  an  in- 
sensibility in  the  audience  which  was  hard  to  overcome. 
We  both  labored  in  the  ability  given  us,  and  had  some 
pretty  close  doctrine  to  declare  among  them,  but  we  fear 
it  had  but  little  effect  on  most  of  the  company.  In  the 
afternoon  we  attended  an  appointed  meeting  at  Denton, 
in  the  Court  House.  It  was  a  large,  attentive  audience, 
and  we  thought  the  power  of  Divine  truth  was  felt  to  pre- 
vail among  us.  Our  friend  Samuel  Townsend  being  there, 
had  a  lively  communication  to  deliver,  and  I  was  led  to 
set  forth  the  sufficiency  of  Divine  grace  to  save  the  soul, 
showing  the  meaning  of  the  Apostolic  declaration:  "The 
letter  killeth,  but  the  Spirit  giveth  life."  The  Scriptures, 
though  the  best  letter  that  ever  was  written,  are  not  of 
themselves  sufficient  to  guide  us  in  the  way  of  holiness, 
for  the  rebellious  Jews  had  the  Scriptures  and  searched 
them,  but  they  would  not  come  to  Christ  that  they  might 
have  life. 

Second-day,  the  3rd  of  Ninth  month. — We  had  an  ap- 
pointed meeting  at  night  in  Friends'  Meeting  House,  at 
Camden,  Delaware.  It  was  well  attended  and  proved  to 
be  a  season  of  Divine  favor.  I  have  seldom  felt  a  deeper 
solemnity  than  that  which  prevailed  over  the  audience 
during  the  communications  we  felt  called  upon  to  make, 
and  at  the  close  the  wing  of  Divine  goodness  seemed  to 
spread  over  the  assembly. 

Third-day,  the  4th. — In  the  forenoon  we  attended  a 
meeting  at  Little  Creek.  It  was  small  and  composed 
chiefly  of  the  few  Friends  who  reside  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, but  it  was  satisfactory. 

At    night   we   had    an  appointed  meeting  in   Friends 
Meeting  House  at  Smyrna.     Only  one  family  of  Friends 
resides  in  the  place,  and  there  had  not  been  a  Friends'  meet" 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  187 

ing  held  there  for  two  years.  The  stated  meeting  formerly- 
held  at  this  place  has  been  discontinued  for  many  years. 
Our  meeting  was  not  large,  but  ability  was  afforded  to 
open  many  important  doctrines,  and  especially  that  of  the 
true  foundation — the  Rock  of  Ages — on  which  the  church 
of  Christ  is  founded. 

It  is  the  same  spiritual  rock,  as  Paul  testifies,  that  the 
Israelites  drank  of  in  the  wilderness,  being  "Christ," — 
the  manifestation  of  Divine  life  and  power. 

Fourth-day. — We  had  an  appointed  meeting  in  the 
morning  at  Odessa.  There  are  but  few  Friends  here,  and 
the  meeting  was  very  small  but  satisfactory.  In  the  eve- 
ning we  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Millington,  in 
Friends'  Meeting  House,  that  has  been  for  many  years 
shut  up,  there  being  no  Friends  in  the  town. 

It  was  a  crowded  meeting,  many  of  the  audience  being 
young  people  to  whom  the  word  of  life  was  preached  with 
freedom,  and,  I  thought,  with  acceptance. 

Fifth-day,  the  6th  of  Ninth  month. — We  attended  Cecil 
Meeting,  in  Kent  County,  Maryland.  The  number  in  at- 
tendance was  small,  there  being  but  few  Friends  here,  and 
other  people  not  disposed  to  attend  in  the  day  time  except 
on  First-day.  After  the  meeting  for  worship,  a  meeting 
for  discipline  was  held,  in  which  the  men  and  women  sat 
together  and  transacted  their  business  jointly.  This 
method  has  been  adopted  on  account  of  the  fewness  of 
their  numbers. 

We  returned  to  Baltimore  and  proceeded  to  Gunpowder, 
where  Baltimore  Quarterly  Meeting  was  held. 

It  was  large  and  generally  satisfactory,  my  lot  being  to 
labor  in  word  and  doctrine,  which  resulted  to  the  peace 
of  my  own  mind  and  appeared  to  meet  the  approbation  of 
Friends. 


1 88  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Although  my  prospect  of  religious  service  within  the 
limits  of  Baltimore  Quarterly  Meeting  was  not  fully  ac- 
complished, I  felt  at  liberty  to  return  home,  with  the  inten- 
tion to  resume  the  work  at  a  future  time,  if  required. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

1861-63. 

Goes  to  Philadelphia  to  attend  to  the  publication  of  History  of  Friends 
— Civil  war  begins — County  occupied  with  Southern  troops — Battle 
of  Ball's  Bluff — Goes  through  the  lines  to  attend  Baltimore  Yearly 
Meeting—Is  arrested  when  he  returns — Interview  with  General  Evans 
— After  four  days'  detention  is  released — Occupation  of  Waterford 
Meeting  House  by  Southern  troops — Attends  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
Sandy  Spring  and  other  meetings — Tribute  to  Miriam  Gover — Goes 
with  a  committee  to  visit  some  of  the  subordinate  meetings  of  Balti- 
more Yearly  Meeting — Death  of  a  sister — Visit  to  Philadelphia  and 
New  York  Yearly  Meetings — Passage  from  Extracts  of  Baltimore 
Yearly  Meeting — Engaged  in  writing  third  and  fourth  volumes  of 
History  of  Friends. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1861  I  went  to  Philadelphia 
to  superintend  the  stereotyping  and  printing  of  the  second 
volume  of  my  History  of  Friends.  The  public  mind  was 
then  greatly  excited  by  the  measures  adopted  in  the  South- 
ern States  to  effect  a  secession  from  the  Federal  govern- 
ment. On  my  way  homeward,  while  stopping  at  Alexan- 
dria, I  heard  of  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumpter,  and  soon 
after  the  news  came  that  its  small  garrison  had  been  com- 
pelled to  surrender. 

The  whole  country  was  agitated  to  a  degree  that  I  had 
never  before  witnessed,  and  it  was  evident  that  a  dreadful 
civil  war  was  imminent. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  189 

The  place  of  my  residence  being  on  the  border,  within 
twelve  miles  of  the  Potomac,  which  was  expected  to  be 
the  line  between  the  contending  parties,  I  felt  great  ap- 
prehensions that  our  county  would  be  the  scene  of  sanguin- 
ary strife,  and  that  desolation  and  distress  would  be  our 
portion. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  citizens  of  our  county,  and, 
indeed,  a  majority  of  the  voters  in  the  State  of  Virginia, 
had  been  opposed  to  secession,  but  the  leading  conspira- 
tors, by  their  false  statements,  their  artful  appeals  to  State 
pride,  and  their  violent  measures  of  hostility  against  the 
Federal  authorities,  precipitated  the  people  into  a  rebellion 
against  the  best  government  that  any  nation  had  ever  en- 
joyed. The  Society  of  Friends  as  a  body  remained  true 
and  loyal  to  the  Federal  Union ;  but  a  few  families  within 
the  compass  of  our  Quarterly  Meeting  allowed  their  sym- 
pathies with  the  Southern  people  to  lead  them  astray. 

Our  county  was  soon  occupied  by  Southern  troops,  and 
those  of  our  citizens  who  adhered  to  the  Union  cause 
were  placed  under  a  strict  surveillance,  that  required,  on 
our  part,  great  circumspection  in  our  conversation  and 
movements. 

Freedom  of  speech  in  regard  to  the  question  of  slavery 
had  long  been  restricted  ;  now  it  was  still  more  dangerous 
to  avow  opposition  to  that  oppressive  system  which  was  the 
cause  and  main  spring  of  the  rebellion. 

The  members  of  our  religious  Society  were  generally 
favored  to  maintain  an  unshaken  trust  in  the  Author  of  all 
good,  and  most  of  the  heads  of  families  among  us  remained 
quietly  at  our  homes,  but  many  of  our  young  men,  who 
were  liable  to  be  forced  into  the  Southern  army,  sought 
safety  in  the  free  states. 

At  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run  many  citizens  of  our 


190  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

county  were  engaged  in  the  Confederate  ranks,  some  as 
volunteers,  and  others  as  militia  forced  into  the  service. 
Some  were  killed,  some  mutilated,  and  among  our  imme- 
diate neighbors  the  voice  of  mourning  was  heard. 

When  the  battle  of  Ball's  Bluff  was  fought,  the  excite- 
ment in  our  neighborhood  was  intense,  for  it  was  only  about 
ten  miles  distant;  the  roar  of  the  cannon  and  even  the  rattle 
of  the  musketry  could  be  heard,  and  some  of  the  killed 
were  our  neighbors.  The  Confederate  pickets  were  then 
for  a  few  days  withdrawn  from  the  line  of  the  Potomac, 
and  a  way  left  open  for  egress  from  our  State.  I  was  then 
under  an  appointment  from  our  Quarterly  Meeting  to  at- 
tend the  Yearly  Meeting  in  Baltimore,  and  the  time  being 
at  hand  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  go,  if  possible. 

A  young  friend  accompanied  me  as  far  as  the  river ;  we 
met  with  no  interruption,  and  I  was  kindly  received  by  the 
Federal  guards  on  the  Maryland  shore.  Only  three  other 
Friends  from  Virginia  were  in  attendance,  namely,  Wil- 
liam Holmes  and  Yardley  Taylor  from  our  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, and  Job  Throckmorton  from  Hopewell. 

We  enjoyed,  in  a  high  degree,  the  company  of  our 
friends,  and  they  were  rejoiced  that  we  were  able  to  join 
them  in  the  solemn  services  of  Divine  worship  and  church 
discipline.  After  the  rise  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  I  went 
to  Washington  City,  where  I  obtained  from  the  Provost 
Marshal  a  passport  that  I  supposed  would  enable  me  to 
return  through  the  Federal  lines,  but  on  reaching  the  Po- 
tomac I  was  informed  by  the  officer  in  command  of  the 
guard  that  he  could  not  permit  me  to  pass.  While  I  was 
at  the  inn,  waiting  for  a  passage,  a  young  Virginian  con- 
nected with  the  Federal  army  called  on  me,  and  stated 
that  my  friend  William  Holmes  had  been  taken  over  the 
river  by  him,  and  he  was  willing  to  convey  me  across  that 
night  in  a  boat. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  ■  191 

Being  anxious  to  rejoin  my  family,  and  believing  that  I 
had  a  right  to  go,  I  accepted  his  offer  and  was  safely  con- 
veyed to  the  Virginia  shore.  There  I  found  a  citizen 
whom  I  knew  to  be  a  Union  man,  and  accepted  his  invi- 
tation to  go  with  him  to  his  house,  about  a  mile  distant. 
When  we  approached  the  house,  some  time  after  dark,  he 
said  to  me:  "Stand  behind  this  tree,  while  I  go  in  and 
see  if  any  secessionists  are  there."  He  soon  returned, 
and  reported  that  some  of  his  secession  neighbors  were  in 
the  house.  He  then  conducted  me  to  a  door,  and  told 
me  to  take  off  my  boots,  walk  softly  up  stairs  and  go  to 
bed.  Next  morning  I  rose  very  early  to  breakfast,  and 
my  kind  host  furnished  me  a  horse,  with  a  boy  to  bring  it 
back. 

Taking  an  unfrequented  road,  we  avoided  the  Confed- 
erate pickets,  and  when  I  came  within  two  miles  of  my 
house,  I  dismissed  the  boy  with  the  horse  and  proceeded 
afoot.  My  family  were  well,  and  we  rejoiced  together  in 
a  delightful  reunion.  But  our  happiness  was  soon  marred 
by  a  report  that  I  was  to  be  arrested  by  the  Confederate 
troops.  On  the  following  day,  while  we  were  at  dinner, 
the  soldiers  came  for  me  and  conducted  me  to  Leesburg, 
nine  miles  distant,  where  General  Evans,  of  the  Southern 
army,  had  his  headquarters.  I  was  taken  before  him  just 
after  nightfall,  and  the  following  dialogue  ensued : 

Gen.  Evans. — "  When  did  you  come  from  Maryland?" 
6".  M.  /.—"Yesterday." 
Gen.  Evans.— "  What  did  you  go  for?" 
S.  M.  /.—"To  attend  Friends'  Yearly  Meeting." 
Gen.  Evans.—11  Don't  you  know  that  your  first  duty  is 
to  your  country?" 

S.  M.  /—"No  ;  my  first  duty  is  to  God." 
Gen.  Evans  (after  a  pause). — "Yes;  but  your  second 
duty  is  to  your  country." 


192  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

S.  M.  J. — "I  do  not  know  that  I  have  violated  any 
law  of  my  country." 

Gen.  Evans. — "If  you  have  not  violated  any  Jaw  of 
your  country,  you  have  transgressed  a  military  order. 
Why  did  you  not  apply  for  a  permit  to  pass  our  lines  ? ' ' 

S.  M.  J. — "Because  I  was  pretty  sure  I  could  not  ob- 
tain one." 

After  some  other  remarks,  the  General  said  :  "  You  may 
go  to  the  hotel,  and  I  will  see  you  in  the  morning." 

I  went  accordingly,  and  found  the  hotel  crowded  and 
dirty ;  but  I  was  thankful  that  I  was  not  sent  to  jail,  as  I 
had  expected  to  be.  Next  morning  I  called  on  the  Gen- 
eral soon  after  breakfast,  and  found  him  in  a  better  humor 
than  he  had  been  the  night  before.  He  said:  "I  have 
received  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Lee,  saying  that  you  have  been 
very  kind  to  our  sick  soldiers."  The  person  alluded  to 
was  the  widow  of  Dr.  Lee,  whose  daughter  Orra  had  been 
one  of  my  pupils.  She  was  one  of  the  managers  of  a  hos- 
pital at  Leesburg,  and  at  her  request  I  had,  some  time  be- 
fore, taken  a  load  of  bread  and  vegetables,  contributed  by 
our  Friends,  for  the  relief  of  the  sick.  On  being  informed 
of  my  arrest,  she  had  immediately  interceded  for  my  re- 
lease. 

I  told  the  General  I  had  called  in  obedience  to  his 
command.  He  said  he  could  not  examine  me  then,  and 
I  might  call  next  day.  Before  leaving  him  I  remarked 
that  I  was  obliged  to  him  for  not  sending  me  to  jail,  as  I 
had  expected.  He  answered  :  "  I  have  no  disposition  to 
imprison  you  ;  yon  may  stay  in  town  until  I  am  ready  to 
examine  you,"  or  words  to  this  effect. 

Here  I  may  remark  that  he  had,  some  time  before,  sent 
three  of  our  Friends  and  other  Union  men  to  jail  on  ac- 
count of  their  political  sentiments  and  attachment  to  the 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  193 

Federal  government.  Two  of  them  were  taken  to  Manas- 
sas Junction  and  detained  several  weeks,  the  others  were 
released  after  a  short  confinement. 

On  the  following  morning  I  again  called  on  the  Gen- 
eral, but  he  was  not  yet  ready  to  examine  me.  Having 
been  kindly  invited  by  John  M.  Orr,  at  the  request  of  his 
wife  (formerly  my  pupil  Orra  Lee),  I  went  to  their  house 
and  made  it  my  home  during  the  remainder  of  my  deten- 
tion. J.  M.  Orr  being  a  member  of  General  Evans'  staff, 
I  desired  him  to  inform  the  General  that  I  was  there,  and 
should  wait  till  he  sent  for  me. 

After  I  had  been  two  days  in  Leesburg,  my  friend  and 
neighbor  William  Holmes,  whose  arrest  had  been  ordered 
by  the  rebel  authorities  on  the  same  ground  as  mine,  came 
and  delivered  himself  up,  and  was  permitted  to  make  his 
home  at  a  private  house. 

On  the  fourth  day  of  my  detention  we  were  informed 
that  we  could  obtain  our  release  by  entering  into  a  bond 
to  return  on  receiving  two  days'  notice  from  the  military 
authorities.  This  we  readily  agreed  to  do,  for  ^ve  had 
been  taken  without  any  notice,  and  our  situation  would 
be  improved  by  the  change.  We  returned  to  our  homes, 
and  were  never  required  to  re-appear.  This  result  was  not 
unexpected ;  for  we  considered  the  bond  required  of  us 
merely  a  pretext  to  get  rid  of  us,  without  seeming  to  ac- 
knowledge that  we  were  blameless. 

During  the  autumn  and  winter  of  1861-62  the  South- 
ern troops  remained  in  possession  of  our  county.  Their 
camps  were  mostly  near  Leesburg,  but  a  company  or  two 
of  cavalry  were  kept  at  Waterford  and  occupied  one-half 
of  Friends'  Meeting-house  for  their  barrack.  When  they 
first  came  to  Waterford  they  seemed  to  entertain  a  strong 
prejudice  and  animosity  against  the  Friends,  having  been 

13 


194  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Jaimey. 

informed  that  they  were  Union  men  and  abolitionists ;  but 
on  becoming  better  acquainted,  some  of  the  soldiers  ac- 
knowledged that  the  storekeepers  who  were  Friends,  dealt 
with  them  more  fairly  than  any  they  had  met  with  on 
their  march  from  the  South,  and  their  prejudices  were  re- 
moved. When  it  was  observed  that  they  intended  to  oc- 
cupy the  meeting-house,  some  of  the  Friends  called  on 
the  captain  and  informed  him  that  meetings  had  been  held 
in  that  house  regularly  twice  a  week  for  more  than  one 
hundred  years,  and  they  were  loth  to  give  it  up.  He 
agreed  to  occupy  only  one  end  of  the  house,  leaving  the 
other  part  for  the  use  of  the  meeting.  The  captain  and 
some  of  the  men  often  sat  in  the  meeting,  behaving  with 
much  decorum,  and  our  beloved  friend  Miriam  Gover  was 
favored  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  them  in  the  authority  of 
Truth,  which  some  of  them  freely  acknowledged.  I  some- 
times visited  that  meeting  when  the  soldiers  were  in  at- 
tendance, and  had  to  admire  the  condescending  goodness 
of  the  Heavenly  Shepherd.  This  was  especially  the  case 
at  our  Quarterly  Meeting  held  there  in  the  Second  month, 
1862.  At  that  time  Friends  occupied  both  compartments 
of  the  meeting-house,  the  soldiers'  baggage  being  stowed 
away  out  of  sight  as  much  as  possible,  and  some  of  their 
swords  left  hanging  against  the  walls  in  plain  view.  We 
thought  it  was  a  season  of  Divine  favor.  Our  hearts  be- 
ing humbled  under  the  pressure  of  affliction  and  our  trust 
placed  on  the  Father  of  Mercies,  we  found  Him  to  be  a 
God  nigh  at  hand,  a  very  present  help  in  every  time  of 
trouble. 

Our  meeting-house  at  Goose  Creek  was  never  occupied 
by  the  soldiers,  though  they  sometimes  attended  our  meet- 
ings. 

In  the  spring  of  1862,  the  Federal  troops  came  into  the 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  AT.  Janney.  195 

county  of  Loudoun,  and  the  Confederates  withdrew  to  the 
more  southern  part  of  the  State.  It  was  then  supposed 
by  the  Union  party,  that  the  Southern  troops  would  ap- 
pear no  more  among  us,  but  in  this  they  were  greatly  mis- 
taken. There  was,  however,  a  perceptible  change  in  the 
conduct  and  conversation  of  the  secessionists.  They  be- 
came less  defiant,  less  confident,  and  more  courteous 
towards  us.  Some  of  the  Union  men  felt  disposed  to  re- 
taliate for  past  injuries  by  annoying  the  secessionists,  but 
in  general,  they  were  moderate  and  willing  to  assist  their 
neighbors  of  that  party  when  their  property  was  seized  by 
the.  Federal  soldiers.  This  disposition  to  alleviate  the 
horrors  of  war,  by  acts  of  kindness  and  mercy,  was  indeed 
manifested  by  some  of  both  parties,  and  became  more 
prevalent  as  the  alternate  successes  and  defeats  experienced 
by  both  taught  them  the  uncertainty  of  military  operations 
and  the  benefits  of  mutual  forbearance. 

The  atrocities  said  to  be  committed  in  East  Tennessee 
and  some  other  places  were  not  witnessed  here,  nor  was 
the  same  degree  of  animosity  manifested  by  citizens  of 
the  opposite  parties  towards  each  other.  As  a  Society, 
Friends  were  regarded  in  this  county  as  among  the  most 
prominent  adherents  of  the  Federal  government ;  but  be- 
ing non-combatants,  and  generally  quiet  and  unobtrusive, 
they  were  seldom  molested  by  their  secession  neighbors. 
On  the  contrary,  they  were  mostly  treated  with  forbear- 
ance, which  they  reciprocated  by  acts  of  kindness  when 
opportunity  offered.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  their 
example  had  a  salutary  influence  in  tempering  the  asperity 
that  always  attends  such  conflicting  sentiments  in  the  com- 
munity. 

Being  under  an  appointment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  to 
visit  the  subordinate  meetings  of  Friends,  part  of  which 


196  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

service  had  previously  been  accomplished,  I  proceeded,  in 
the  spring  of  1862,  in  company  with  our  valued  friend 
Miriam  Gover  and  my  daughter  Mary  Ann,  to  attend 
Sandy  Spring  Quarterly  Meeting  in  Maryland.  The 
meeting  was  satisfactory,  and  after  its  conclusion  we  pro- 
ceeded to  attend  meetings  at  Indian  Spring,  Washington 
City,  Alexandria  and  Woodlawn. 

On  our  way  homeward,  passing  through  Fairfax  County, 
we  had  an  opportunity  to  observe  the  desolating  effects 
of  war.  During  part  of  the  journey  we  traveled  through  a 
country  laid  waste ;  destitute  of  enclosures  and  without 
cultivation ;  the  houses  dilapidated,  and  most  of  the  in- 
habitants gone. 

I  look  back  upon  our  labors  on  that  religious  visit  with 
much  satisfaction,  especially  as  it  was  the  last  journey  I 
performed  in  company  with  our  beloved  friend  Miriam 
Gover.  In  the  spring  of  the  following  year  she  was  called 
away  from  the  toils  and  trials  of  time  to  the  rewards  of 
eternity.  She  was  a  Gospel  minister  with  whom  I  had 
great  unity ;  sound  in  doctrine,  impressive  in  discourse, 
and  careful  to  minister  in  the  ability  that  God  giveth.  I 
think  I  have  never  been  acquainted  with  a  purer  and  more 
devoted  soul,  and  her  memory  will  long  be  cherished  by 
her  surviving  friends. 

On  the  19th  of  the  Eighth  month,  1S62,  being  the  next 
day  after  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  I  left  home,  in  company 
with  William  B.  Steer,  to  join  some  other  members  of  a 
committee  appointed  by  our  Yearly  Meeting,  to  visit  its 
subordinate  meetings. 

At  Huntington,  Adams  Co.,  Penna.,  we  met  with  B. 
Hallowell  and  wife,  and  Benjamin  P.  Moore  and  wife, 
with  their  sister  Susan  Jones,  and,  after  attending  Monthly 
Meeting  there,  we  all  proceeded  in  private  carriages  on 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  197 

our  journey  to  visit  the  meetings  of  Friends  within  the 
limits  of  Centre  Quarterly  Meeting. 

Two  days  journey  through  a  mountainous  country 
brought  us  to  Bedford,  Penna.,  and  the  next  morning, 
being  First-day,  the  24th  of  the  Eighth  month,  we  went 
12  miles  to  Dunning's  Creek  meeting  house,  where  we 
attended  a  meeting  for  worship.  It  was,  to  me,  a  satis- 
factory meeting,  although  in  the  early  part  laborious.  We 
made  our  homes  with  James  and  Jesse  Blackburn,  with 
whose  families  we  were  much  interested. 

Leaving  Dunning's  Creek  we  traveled  two  days  and 
crossed  the  Allegheny  mountain  amid  scenery  wild  and 
picturesque,  until  we  reached  the  Grampian  hills  in  Clear- 
field County.  At  the  house  of  Nathan  Moore,  near  West 
Branch  Meeting  house,  we  found  a  hospitable  welcome. 

On  Fourth-day,  the  27th,  we  attended  an  appointed 
meeting  at  Bridgeport  (4  miles  from  West  Branch),  held 
in  the  house  of  Joseph  M.  Spencer,  where  meetings  for 
worship  are  usually  held  on  First-days. 

Many  of  the  neighbors  attended,  and  we  had  some  ser- 
vice which  afforded  the  reward  of  peace.  Next  day  we 
were  at  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  West  Branch.  It  was 
largely  attended  by  members  and  others,  and  proved  to 
be  a  season  of  Divine  favor. 

On  Sixth-day,  the  29th,  we  proceeded  to  Centre,  to  at- 
tend the  Quarterly  Meeting. 

During  most  of  the  journey  up  to  this  time,  my  mind  had 
at  times  been  oppressed  with  solicitude  about  my  family, 
from  an  apprehension  that  our  county  might  again  be 
brought  under  the  sad  effects  of  the  Civil  war  that  is  now 
devastating  the  State  of  Virginia.  These  apprehensions 
were  increased  when  I  learned  from  a  newspaper  I  met 
with  .on  the  way,  that  the  Confederate  Cavalry  had  made 


198  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

a  dash  through  our  neighborhood  and  captured  some  of 
the  Federal  Cavalry  at  Waterford.  On  arriving  at  the 
house  of  our  kind  friend  John  Way,  near  Centre  meeting 
house,  I  received  a  letter  from  my  dear  wife,  written  just 
before  the  raid  of  the  Confederate  Cavalry.  It  was  truly 
comforting  to  read  her  expressions  of  calm  trust  and  re- 
liance upon  the  Arm  of  Divine  power;  and  I  was  enabled 
to  abide  in  patience,  under  a  feeling  that  the  beloved  in- 
mates of  my  home  would  be  protected  and  preserved. 

The  Quarterly  Meeting  was  satisfactory.  The  meeting 
for  worship  on  First-day  was  very  full,  and  through  the 
gracious  aid  of  the  Heavenly  Shepherd,  I  trust  I  was 
made  instrumental  in  feeding  His  flock.  Our  friend,  Benja- 
min Hallowell,  was  favored  in  gospel  ministry,  and  in  the 
meeting  for  discipline  he  was  enabled  to  hand  forth  much 
salutary  counsel.  I  think  there  is  in  this  Quarterly  Meeting 
a  lively  concern  on-  the  part  of  many  to  do  the  Master's 
will  and  support  the  testimonies  of  Truth ;  although  they 
have  been  under  much  discouragement  for  several  years 
past  on  account  of  some  of  their  members  being  concerned 
in  what  is  called  spiritualism,  a  supposed  communication 
with  the  spirits  of  the  dead. 

The  advice  given  them  some  years  ago,  by  our  Yearly 
Meeting,  to  let  it  alone,  for  it  was  a  delusion  that  would 
pass  away,  has  proved  wise  and  salutary.  It  is  now  on  the 
wane,  and  most  of  the  Friends,  who  were  engaged  in  it, 
have  withdrawn  from  it. 

After  the  Quarterly  Meeting  we  attended  an  appointed 
Meeting  at  Bald  Eagle,  and  then  took  our  course  homeward. 

At  Lewistown  I  parted  with  my  kind  and  interesting 
companions.  They  continued  their  journey  in  their  car- 
riages, and  I  took  the  rail-road  for  Baltimore,  hoping 
there  to  obtain  some  intelligence  from  home. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Ja)iney.  199 

In  Baltimore  I  met  my  son  Phineas,  who,  with  several 
other  young  men  of  our  neighborhood,  had  fled  at  the 
approach  of  the  Confederate  army;  being  apprehensive, 
that  if  they  remained  they  would  be  forced  into  the  ranks 
of  the  rebels  under  the  conscription  act  law.  Most  of  the 
young  men  and  some  of  the  older  ones,  holding  Union 
sentiments,  have  fled  from  Loudoun  County,  and  are  now 
refugees  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania. 

All  communication  across  the  Potomac  being  interdicted 
I  was  under  the  necessity  of  remaining  some  time  longer 
from  home. 

After  attending  Monthly  Meeting  at  Baltimore  I  went 
to  Gunpowder,  where  the  Quarterly  Meeting  was  held  on 
the  Eighth  day  of  the  Ninth  month.  At  the  public  meeting 
on  First-day  I  was  favored  with  an  enlargement  in  gospel 
ministry  for  which  I  desire  to  be  humbly  thankful  to  Him, 
who  "putteth  forth  his  own  sheep  and  goeth  before  them." 
Other  ministers  were  also  engaged  in  acceptable  service 
and  the  baptizing  power  of  Divine  truth  was  experienced 
by  many. 

While  at  -Quarterly  Meeting,  we  learned  that  the  Con- 
federate Army  in  large  force  had  crossed  the  Potomac  and 
occupied  Fredericktown,  and  much  anxiety  was  felt,  both 
in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  My  way  homeward  being 
closed  I  went  to  Deer  Creek,  Harford  County,  Maryland, 
to  the  house  of  my  sister  Tacy.  Having  had  for  some 
months  a  minute  from  our  Monthly  Meeting,  author- 
izing me  to  visit  and  appoint  meetings  within  the  limits 
of  our  Yearly  Meeting,  it  seemed  now  to  be  a  suitable 
time  to  proceed  in  a  visit  to  most  of  the  meetings  consti- 
tuting Nottingham  Quarter.  This  service  I  had  in  con- 
templation more  than  a  year  ago,  but  was  hindered  from 
its  accomplishment. 


200  Memoirs  of  Sainucl  M.  Janney. 

On  First-day,  the  14th  of  Ninth  month,  I  attended 
meeting  in  the  forenoon  at  Deer  Creek  and  had  an  ap- 
pointed meeting  in  the  afternoon  at  Broad  Creek.  They 
were  both  good  meetings  and  I  had  satisfactory  service. 

On  Second-day,  accompanied  by  my  friend  William 
Hopkins,  I  crossed  the  Susquehannah  river  and  came  into 
Lancaster  County,  Penna. 

On  Fourth-day  we  attended  the  stated  meeting  for  wor- 
ship at  Drumore,  on  Fifth-day  at  Little  Britain,  and  on 
Seventh-day  afternoon  had  an  appointed  meeting  at 
Octorara. 

William  Hopkins  having  returned  home,  my  kind  and 
venerable  friend,  Eli  Smedley,  offered  his  services  and 
became  my  companion. 

On  First-day,  the  21st,  we  attended  meeting  at  Little 
Britain  in  the  morning.  The  subject  which  opened  to 
my  view  was  the  Commission  of  Christ  to  his  disciples 
to  teach  and  baptize;  and  I  was  enabled,  as  I  thought, 
through  Divine  aid,  to  expound  the  doctrine  of  saving 
faith  and  spiritual  baptism.  In  the  afternoon  I  attended 
an  appointed  meeting  at  Eastland,  which  was  well  attended, 
solemn,  and  I  trust,  instructive. 

My  mind  is  often  under  much  solicitude  on  account  of 
my  family,  from  whom  I  can  hear  nothing,  as  they  live 
near  the  seat  of  war  and  all  communication  by  mail  is  cut 
off.  During  the  sanguinary  battles  that  have  taken  place 
within  the  last  two  weeks,  the  roar  of  cannon  and  even 
the  rattle  of  musketry  must  have  been  heard  from  my 
home ;  and  during  part  of  the  time  onr  county  being  in 
possession  of  the  Confederate  army,  there  is  every  reason 
to  suppose  that  foraging  parties  have  visited  every  neigh- 
borhood in  search  of  food  and  clothing. 

"Why  art  thou  cast  down,  oh!  my  soul,  and  why  art 


Memoirs  oj  Samuel  M.  Janney.  201 

thou  disquieted  within  me ;  trust  in  the  Lord,  for  in  the 
Lord  Jehovah  is  everlasting  strength."  Eli  Smedley  being 
unable  on  account  of  ill  health  to  proceed  with  me,  my 
friend  Levi  K.  Brown  kindly  offered  to  be  my  companion. 
We  attended  meetings  at  West  Nottingham,  Little  Elk  and 
East  Nottingham,  in  all  of  which  I  thought  the  Divine 
Master  was  with  us  and  graciously  condescended  to  feed 
us  with  the  bread  of  life. 

Ninth  month,  27th. — I  am  now  at  the  house  of  my 
sister  Tacy,  intending  to  visit  Friends'  meeting,  held  at 
Fawn  to-morrow,  and  then  proceed  homeward. 

Tenth  month. — The  meeting  at  Fawn  was  favored  with 
the  evidence  of  Divine  life,  and  we  were  sureetly  comforted 
together.  I  then  returned  home  with  the  reward  of  peace 
and  found  my  family  in  good  health.  They  had  been 
mercifully  preserved  and  protected  by  the  Good  Shepherd 
during  a  season  of  alarm  and  danger. 

In  the  autumn  of  1862  I  attended  our  Yearly  Meeting  at 
Baltimore,  and  the  way  being  open,  a  considerable  number 
of  Friends  from  Virginia  were  in  attendance.  The  fol- 
lowing passage  from  the  minute  of  the  exercises  of  the 
meeting,  is  deemed  appropriate  for  insertion  here. 

"The  sorrowful  condition  of  our  beloved  country,  so 
feelingly  alluded  to  in  the  Epistles  (from  other  Yearly 
Meetings),  has  tended  much  to  solemnize  the  meeting 
and  to  humble  us  under  the  consideration  of  our  many 
delinquencies,  as  a  nation  and  as  individuals.  Lively  tes- 
timonies have  been  borne  in  this  meeting,  not  only  against 
the  horrors  of  war,  but  to  the  all-sufficiency  of  that  grace 
which  emanates  from  the  Father  of  Spirits,  and  which  will 
save  to  the  uttermost  all  who  place  their  trust  in  Him. 

"  It  was  clearly  shown,  that  however  ardently  we  may  feel 


202  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

attached  to  our  excellent  Government,  its  preservation,  or 
that  of  any  civil  institution,  is  of  small  importance  when 
compared  with  the  sublime  principles  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ  and  the  salvation  of  immortal  souls.  The  disciples 
of  the  Prince  of  Peace  can  only  promote  the  advancement 
of  his  kingdom,  by  obedience  to  his  Spirit,  and  keeping 
his  commandments.  "Without  me",  he  says,  "ye  can  do 
nothing."  "If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny 
himself,  take  up  his  cross  daily,  and  follow  me."  These 
are  still  the  unchangeable  terms  of  discipleship;  for  we 
cannot  serve  two  masters;  —  we  are  either  conformed  to 
this  world,  or  transformed  by  the  renewings  of  our  minds. 

"  They  who  Have  experienced  the  mercy  and  forgiveness 
of  God,  will  be  enabled  by  His  grace  to  forgive  others; 
and  continuing  under  this  holy  influence,  they  will  be 
endued  with  patience  and  confidence  in  Him  who  "ruleth 
in  the  kingdom  of  men,  and  giveth  it  to  whomsoever  he 
will.  He  sees  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  time ;  for 
one  day  with  the  Lord  is  as  a  thousand  years,  and  a  thou- 
sand years  as  one  day. 

"Information  has  been  received  at  this  meeting,  that 
many  of  our  members,  who  reside  in  Virginia,  have,  dur- 
ing the  past  year,  been  subjected  to  great  trials  by  reason 
of  the  civil  war  which  is  now  desolating  that  portion  of 
our  country.  Some  of  them  have  been  arrested  by  the 
military  authorities  of  the  Southern  States,  and  held  as 
prisoners  for  a  time.  Among  these,  our  beloved  friend, 
Job  Throckmorton,  was  one  whose  sufferings  excited 
general  sympathy.  While  on  his  way  to  attend  the 
Monthly  Meeting  at  Hopewell,  he  was  arrested  by  the 
soldiery,  and  with  many  other  prisoners,  who  had  not  been 
bearing  arms,  he  was  subjected  to  fatiguing  marches  and 
great  privations,  which  resulted  in  his  death.     His  pure 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  203 

and  blameless  life  was  such,  that  we  have  no  doubt  he  laid 
down  his  head  in  peace,  and  has  entered  into  eternal  rest. 

"  Our  Religious  meetings  in  that  section  of  country  have 
generally  been  maintained,  though,  most  of  our  meeting- 
houses have,  at  times,  been  occupied  for  military  purposes. 
At  Hopewell  and  Winchester  our  members  have  been  sub- 
jected to  peculiar  privations  and  trials,  by  reason  of  the 
large  contending  armies  that  have  alternately  occupied  and 
despoiled  that  region ;  but  the  meetings  of  Friends  have 
seldom  been  omitted,  though  often  held  in  private  houses. 

'  'At  Woodlawn ,  a  branch  of  Alexandria  Monthly  Meeting, 
the  meeting-house  was,  during  the  whole  of  last  winter, 
occupied  by  the  Federal  troops.  The  Midweek  Meetings 
of  Friends  were  then  held  in  a  private  house ;  but  on  First 
days  they  assembled  in  the  meeting-house  with  the  soldiers, 
who  carefully  prepared  the  house,  expressed  a  desire  that 
the  meetings  should  be  kept  up,  and  were  evidently  much 
interested  in  them. 

"At  Waterford,  a  part  of  the  meeting-house  was  for  many 
months  occupied  by  the  Southern  soldiers,  while  another 
part  was  reserved  for  the  meetings  of  Friends.  The  offi- 
cers and  some  of  the  soldiers  usually  attended,  behaved 
with  decorum,  and  at  times  expressed  their  cordial  appre- 
ciation of  those  seasons  of  deep  solemnity  and  religious 
exercises.  We  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  Gospel  of 
Peace  and  Love,  at  some  favored  seasons,  was  felt  to  flow, 
like  a  refreshing  stream  in  a  desert  land. 

"The  evidences  thus  afforded  of  the  power  of  Divine 
truth,  and  the  consolations  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  should 
incite  us  to  increased  diligence,  that  we  may  through 
watchfulness  and  prayer,  and  unreserved  obedience,  fill  up 
the  measure  of  our  duties,  and  obtain  the  rich  reward  of 
Divine  approbation." 


204  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Jaiiney. 

In  the  spring  of  1863,  being  informed  of  the  extreme 
illness  of  my  beloved  sister,  Anna  Lupton  (wife  of  Richard 
R.  Lupton),  near  Richmond,  Indiana,  I  went  to  see  her, 
and  remained  with  her  about  ten  days.  She  seemed  then 
a  little  better,  but  in  about  two  months  she  was  taken  to 
"the  house  appointed  for  all  living."  She  was  truly  a 
good  woman  and  much  beloved  by  all  who  knew  her. 
Her  patience  and  cheerfulness  during  her  long  sickness 
rendered  it  a  pleasure  to  nurse  her ;  and  she  died  as  she 
lived,  in  firm  reliance  upon  the  arm  of  Divine  Power. 

Before  my  departure  from  home,  I  had  laid  before  our 
Monthly  Meeting  a  prospect  I  had  to  attend  the  Yearly 
Meetings  of  Philadelphia  and  New  York,  and  the  time 
being  at  hand,  I  proceeded  from  Indiana  directly  to  Phila- 
delphia. The  Yearly  Meeting  held  there  was  deeply  in- 
teresting, and  through  the  condescending  goodness  of  the 
Heavenly  Shepherd,  I  was  given  ability  to  proclaim  the 
doctrine  of  salvation  by  Christ. 

At  New  York  Yearly  meeting  I  experienced  in  like 
manner  the  unmerited  favor  of  being  called  into  the  Mas- 
ter's service,  and  endowed  with  a  qualification  to  feed  the 
lambs  of  his  flock. 

After  attending  a  number  of  meetings  on  my  way  home, 
I  was  enabled  to  rejoin  my  family,  and  finding  them  in 
good  health,  felt  thankful  to  the  Author  of  all  good  for 
His  many  blessings. 

Our  Yearly  Meeting  at  Baltimore  this  year  was,  to  me, 
a  time  of  trial  and  also  of  rejoicing.  The  committee  ap- 
pointed to  embody  the  exercises  of  the  Yearly  Meeting 
produced  a  minute  which  was  considered  very  satisfactory. 
The  following  passages,  being  the  expression  of  my  senti- 
ments, are  deemed  appropriate  for  insertion  here : 

"A   considerable   number  of  our  members  who   live 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  205 

within  the  lines  of  military  operations,  being  now  in  at- 
tendance with  us,  represent  that  although  they  have  been 
subjected  to  great  trials,  they  have  generally  been  pre- 
served from  personal  injury,  and  have  cause  of  thankful- 
ness to  the  Shepherd  of  Israel.  Two  members  of  Fairfax 
Monthly  Meeting  (in  Virginia)  have  been  arrested  as  host- 
ages by  the  Southern  troops,  and  so  far  as  we  know,  are 
still  held  as  prisoners  (in  Richmond),  but  measures  have 
been  taken  to  obtain  their  release,  which,  it  is  hoped,  will 
prove  successful. 

"  On  considering  the  condition  of  our  beloved  country, 
now  subjected  to  the  calamities  attendant  on  civil  war, 
our  hearts  are  affected  with  sorrow  for  the  many  victims 
who  have  fallen  in  the  strife,  the  many  widows  and  or- 
phans who  mourn  their  bereavement,  and  the  demoraliz- 
ing effects  of  military  service. 

"  We  nevertheless  hold  fast  our  confidence  in  the  wis- 
dom and  goodness  of  that  Almighty  Being  who  rules  in 
Heaven  and  on  earth,  who  permits  the  passions  of  men  to 
work  out  their  own  chastisement,  and  brings  forth,  in  the 
operations  of  His  providence,  results  that  cannot  be  fore- 
seen by  human  wisdom  nor  frustrated  by  human  depravity. 

"The  testimony  which  our  fathers  maintained  to  the 
peaceable  nature  of  Christ's  kingdom  is  still  dear  to  our 
hearts,  and  notwithstanding  the  cloud  of  discouragement 
that  now  overshadows  us,  we  trust  '  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness will  yet  arise,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  be  made 
manifest  to  the  nations.'  As  the  prophet  saw  in  the  visions 
of  light,  a  stone  cut  out  without  hands,  which  became  a 
great  mountain  and  filled  the  whole  earth,  so,  we  believe, 
will  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  be  established  in  the  fulness 
of  time  by  the  word  of  Divine  Power.  In  order  that  this 
precious  testimony  may  be  advanced,  witnesses   for  the 


206  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

truth  have  been  raised  up  in  every  age  of  the  Christian 
Church,  who  have  often  prophesied  in  sackcloth,  or  have 
been  slain  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus.  Such  were  the 
members  of  this  religious  Society  at  its  rise.  They  were 
faithful  to  the  civil  governments  under  which  they  lived, 
and  when  they  could  not  actively  obey  the  laws  which 
conflicted  with  their  conscientious  convictions,  they  pa- 
tiently submitted  to  the  penalties,  until,  through  suffering, 
they  obtained  relief,  and  were  thus  made  instrumental  in 
promoting  the  cause  of  religious  and  civil  liberty. 

"  May  we  be  faithful  in  following  their  example,  so  far 
as  they  followed  Christ. 

"How  instructive  is  the  reply  of  the  blessed  Jesus  to 
the  disciple  who  inquired  :  '  Lord,  what  shall  this  man 
do  ?'  '  If  I  will  that  he  tarry  till  I  come,  what  is  that  to 
thee?  Follow  thou  me.'  It  is  not  our  place  to  judge 
others  who  may  believe  themselves  called  into  a  different 
path  from  that  in  which  we  walk,  but  rather  to  follow  in 
the  footsteps  of  our  Holy  Exemplar,  who  did  no  sin, 
neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth ;  who,  when  he  was 
reviled,  reviled  not  again  ;  when  he  suffered,  he  threatened 
not,  but  committed  himself  to  Him  that  judgeth  right- 
eously. 

"Much  solicitude  and  religious  concern  have  been  felt 
in  this  meeting,  that  in  the  education  of  our  precious 
children  we  may  seek  a  qualification  to  lead  them  in  the 
way  of  righteousness,  both  by  precept  and  example.  For 
this  end  provision  should  be  made  for  a  guarded  religious 
education  at  school,  and  suitable  books  for  use  in  the 
family. 

"We  were  reminded  that  this  Yearly  meeting  has  at 
various  times  issued  advices  to  its  members,  inciting  them 
to    the    frequent   reading  of    the    Holy    Scriptures,    the 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  207 

authenticity  of  which  has  always  been  acknowledged  by  the 
Society  of  Friends.  We  believe  it  is  not  the  part  of  true 
wisdom  to  dwell  upon  defects,  whether  real  or  imaginary, 
in  the  sacred  records,  but  rather  to  make  use  of  them  as 
they  were  intended,  '  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  in- 
struction in  righteousness,'  remembering  that  it  is  only 
through  the  operation  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth  on  our  hearts 
that  they  can  be  made  availing  to  us  in  the  promotion  of 
our  salvation." 

The  two  Friends  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  extract 
as  prisoners  in  Richmond  were  William  Williams  and 
Robert  J.  Hollingsworth,  of  Waterford,  members  of  Fairfax 
Monthly  Meeting.  They  were  held  as  hostages  for  two 
secessionists,  who,  on  account  of  their  aiding  the  rebellion, 
were  taken  by  the  Federal  troops  and  held  as  citizen  pris- 
oners. We  saw  no  way  to  obtain  the  release  of  our 
friends  but  by  petitioning  the  Federal  executive  for  the 
release  of  the  two  secessionists.  For  this  purpose  I  went 
twice  to  Washington  City  in  company  with  Mary,  the 
wife  of  William  Williams,  and  her  brother,  James  M. 
Walker.  We  were  treated  kindly  by  the  President,  and 
at  the  time  of  our  Yearly  Meeting  we  thought  the  exchange 
we  desired  was  about  to  be  effected ;  but  the  Secretary  of 
War  would  not  consent,  and  we  were  obliged  to  relinquish 
the  hopes  we  had  cherished. 

Our  proceedings  were  known  to  the  friends  and  rela- 
tives of  the  two  rebel  prisoners,  and  when  they  found 
their  object  could  not  be  effected  by  holding  the  hostages, 
they  petitioned  the  authorities  at  Richmond  to  release 
them,  which  was  done.  When  James  M.  Walker  was  as- 
sured that  our  friends  were  released,  he  wrote  to  General 
Hitchcock,  in  Washington,  soliciting  the  release  of  the 
two  secessionists,  and  the  Secretary  of  War,  E.  M.  Stan- 
ton, promptly  granted  the  request. 


208  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

During  the  last  two  years,  I  have  devoted  a  large  share 
of  my  attention,  when  at  home,  to  the  last  two  volumes  of 
my  History  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  I  have  been  sub- 
ject to  many  interruptions,  and  at  times  so  disheartened  by 
the  dreadful  conflict  raging  in  our  State,  that  I  was  not  in 
a  condition  to  prosecute  with  vigor  any  work  requiring  a 
prolonged  mental  effort.  Often  when  employed  at  my 
desk  the  roar  of  cannon  has  brought  to  my  ears  the  sad 
tidings  that  my  fellow-creatures  were  engaged  in  deadly 
conflict,  and  the  reflection  that  many  were  then  suffering 
excruciating  pains  or  dying  on  the  field  of  battle,  could 
not  fail  to  enlist  my  sympathies. 

On  the  east,  the  south  and  the  west,  within  a  range  of 
about  thirty  miles  from  my  dwelling,  many  battles  have 
been  fought,  and  the  report  of  artillery  has  at  times  been 
heard  from  a  distance  still  greater. 

Often  have  my  prayers  been  put  up  to  the  Ruler  of  the 
Universe, — the  Author  of  all  good — that  He  would  be 
pleased,  in  His  own  good  time,  to  cause  the  raging  storm 
of  war  to  cease,  and  to  breathe  upon  the  hearts  of  those 
engaged  in  it,  causing  them  to  relinquish  the  bloody  strife, 
and  to  unite  once  more  in  the  peaceable  maintenance  of 
our  excellent  civil  government. 

I  have  been  long  satisfied  that  nearly  all  our  National 
troubles  have  sprung  from  the  oppression  of  our  fellow- 
creatures,  and  the  calamities  that  have  come  upon  the 
slaveholding  states  may  be  considered  a  just  retribution 
for  transgression. 

The  system  of  slavery,  as  it  has  existed  here,  degrades 
the  slave  and  corrupts  the  master.  It  has  engendered,  in 
the  dominant  race,  a  degree  of  arrogance  and  pride  that 
induced  them  to  spurn  the  restraints  of  law,  and,  more- 
over, it  has  produced  habits  of  idleness  and  dissipation, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.-  Janney.  209 

ruinous  to  the  estates  and  the  morals  of  many.  During 
nearly  forty  years  past  I  have  found  it  my  duty  to  bear 
testimony  against  this  enormous  evil,  both  with  my  voice 
and  the  pen,  and  every  year  I  live  confirms  the  abhorrence 
of  it.  I  may  acknowledge,  however,  that  during  a  few 
years  immediately  preceding  the  rebellion,  I  found  fewer 
opportunities  to  urge  the  claims  of  the  down-trodden  slave 
to  the  rights  of  humanity. 

Those  who  supported  the  system  had  grown  callous  and 
reckless  ;  blinded  by  their  supposed  interests,  and  misled 
by  their  clergy,  they  rushed  forward  to  destruction. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 
1S64. 

With  a  committee,  visits  Friends  in  Iowa  who  have  applied  for  the 
privilege  of  holding  a  Quarterly  Meeting. 

1S64,  Fifth  month,  5th. — I  left  my  home  in  order  to 
meet  at  Baltimore  a  committee  of  our  Yearly  Meeting,  ap- 
pointed to  visit  Friends  in  Iowa  who  have  applied  for  the 
privilege  of  holding  a  Quarterly  Meeting.  The  Federal 
forces  on  the  line  of  the  Potomac  maintain  at  this  time  a 
strict  blockade,  on  account  of  the  military  movements  now 
taking  place  in  Virginia.  No  mails  are  allowed  to  pass 
either  way,  nor  are  any  persons  without  a  pass  from  the  Gov- 
ernment permitted  to  cross  the  river,  except  refugees  going 
north  and  persons  bringing  grain  from  Virginia. 

At  Berlin  I  met,  on  the  Virginia  shore,  the  United 
States  Provost  Marshal,  and  on  making  application  for  a 
passage,  he  said  I  could  go  over  and  report  myself  as  a 

14 


210  Memoirs  of  Samuel  At.  Janney. 

refugee  to  the  General  commanding  at  Harper's  Ferry.  I 
told  him  I  was  not  a  refugee,  but  a  minister  of  the  Society 
of  Friends,  under  an  appointment  of  our  Yearly  Meeting 
going  to  Iowa  on  religious  service,  and  that  I  had  written 
to  my  friends  in  Maryland  to  procure  me  a  passport,  which 
I  had  no  doubt  they  would  obtain.  After  some  reflection 
he  said,  as  I  was  a  minister  in  a  Society  that  was  generally 
loyal,  he  would  give  me  a  pass  to  Baltimore,  and  he  wished 
me  as  soon  as  I  obtained  my  passport  to  send  him  a  copy 
of  it.  As  I  passed  the  Point  of  Rocks  on  the  railroa.d,  I 
was  informed  by  a  Friend  that  a  passport  from  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  had  been  received  there  and 
been  forwarded  to  Waterford  for  me. 

9th. — Left  Baltimore  this  morning  in  company  with  my 
valued  friends  Benjamin  P.  Moore  and  wife  and  Mary  B. 
Needles,  being  a  part  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's  committee. 

1 2th. — Arrived  at  West  Liberty,  and  met  with  a  cordial 
welcome  from  our  friends. 

14th. — Attended  Monthly  Meeting  at  Wapsinonoc, 
near  West  Liberty.  The  meeting  for  worship  was  a  sea-' 
son  of  Divine  favor,  during  which  Mary  B.  Needles,  Joseph 
A.  Dugdale  and  myself  were  engaged  in  advocating  the 
cause  of  Truth. 

J.  A.  Dugdale  has  lately  been  received  again  into  mem- 
bership, after  having  been  many  years  separated  from  our 
Society  and  connected  with  those  called  Progressive 
Friends.  That  movement  having  proved  unsuccessful, 
and  most  "of  the  meetings  that  originated  from  it  being 
extinct,  several  persons  who  left  the  Society  of  Friends  to 
join  it  have  come  back  into  membership,  and,  I  trust,  will 
henceforth  be  satisfied  to  move  in  unity  with  the  body. 

The  business  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  was  conducted 
in  harmony  and  brotherly  love.  In  the  afternoon  we  at- 
tended the  Preparative  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  211 

Fifth  month,  .15th,  First-day. — The  meeting  to-day  was 
very  large  and  solemn.  I  was  engaged  in  Gospel  minis- 
try, on  the  subject  of  Christ's  miracles  in  feeding  the  mul- 
titudes and  healing  their  diseases,  which  he  did  through 
the  power  of  God  dwelling  in  him  without  measure. 
Those  wonderful  works  are  recorded  as  facts  and  appealed 
tq,by  him  as  evidences  of  his  mission  and  authority. 
When  we  consider  the  vast  importance  of  his  mission,  not 
only  to  that  people,  but  to  all  succeeding  generations  of 
mankind,  we  need  not  marvel  that  Infinite  Goodness 
should  so  far  condescend  to  the  condition  of  the  people 
as  to  show  forth,  by  signs  and  wonders,  the  power  and 
authority  of  His  Beloved  Son,  in  order  to  confirm  the 
glorious  truths  that  he  taught  and  to  introduce  the  Gospel 
dispensation.  The  same  Divine  Power  is  spiritually  mani- 
fested to  the  faithful  followers  of  Christ  as  present  with 
them  according  to  their  several  measures  of  the  Heavenly 
gift,  to  feed  them  with  spiritual  food,  to  heal  them  of  their 
spiritual  maladies,  and  to  raise  them  from  death  to  life. 
These  wonders  of  Divine  Power  performed  in  the  soul, 
are  more  important  than  the  healing  of  physical  diseases, 
because  more  permanent  and  more  essential  to  our  happiness. 

17th. — The  committee  proceeded  to  Prairie  Grove,  a 
distance  of  forty  miles.  On  the  way  we  halted  at  Columbus, 
and  paid  a  very  satisfactory  visit  to  Sarah  Dugdale,  an  aged 
minister,  who  is  a  remarkable  example  of  Christian  love 
and  grace  abounding. 

18th  and  19th. — We  visited  a  number  of  Friends  in 
their  families  with  much  satisfaction.  Accompanied  by 
M.  B.  Needles  and  J.  A.  Dugdale  and  wife,  I  went  to 
Mount  Pleasant  to  attend  an  evening  meeting  appointed 
~at  my  request.  I  found  it  my  duty  to  address  the  meeting 
on  the  spiritual  and  practical  nature  of  Christianity. 


212  Memoirs  of  Samuel  At.  Janney. 

22nd,  First-day. — The  committee  attended  meeting  at 
Prairie  Grove,  which  was  well  filled  with  an  attentive 
audience,  mostly  members  of  our  Society,  or  nearly  united 
with  us  in  religious  sentiment.  Our  dear  friend  Joseph  A. 
Dugdale  appeared  in  supplication  in  a  feeling  and  solemniz- 
ing manner. 

My  mind  was  impressed  with  the  great  responsibility 
that  attends  the  exercise  of  Gospel  ministry  and  the  duties 
of  those  who  occupy  the  station  of  ministers.  We  should 
be  not  only  servants  of  God,  but  also  servants  of  the 
Church.  "We  preach  not  ourselves,"  said  the  Apostle 
Paul,  "but  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord,  and  ourselves  your  ser- 
vants for  Christ's  sake."  I  endeavored  to  show  that  all 
who  are  regenerated  and  united  to  Christ  the  Head  by  the 
bond  of  the  Spirit,  are  one  body,  whatever  name  they 
may  bear  here,  and  whether  they  belong  to  the  Church 
Militant  on  earth  or  the  Church  Triumphant  in  Heaven. 
"  Ye  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of  prophets  and  apos- 
tles, Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner-stone." 
He  is  the  vine,  they  who  are  united  to  him  are  the 
branches,  who  bring  forth  fruit  according  to  the  measure 
of  grace  received.  In  him,  the  blessed  Son  of  God,  dwelt 
a  full  manifestation  of  Divine  Power,  for  it  pleased  the 
Father  that  "  in  him  should  all  fulness  dwell,  and  "of  his 
fulness  have  all  we  received,  and  grace  for  grace. ' '  The 
Apostles  acknowledged  him  as  their  Lord  and  Master,  and 
Peter,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  when  speaking  from  in- 
spiration, said  :  "This  Jesus  hath  God  raised  up,  whereof 
we  are  all  witnesses,  therefore  being  by  the  right  hand  of 
God  exalted,  and  having  received  of  the  Father  the  pro- 
mise of  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  hath  shed  forth  that  which  we 
now  see  and  hear."  A  measure  of  the  same  Divine  Power 
which  dwelt  without  measure  in  Jesus  was  given  to  the 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  213 

Apostles,  and  through  this  they  wrought  miracles  in  his 
name.  Thus,  when  the  lame  man  was  healed  at  the  gate 
of  the  temple  called  Beautiful,  the  Apostles  Peter  and  John 
said:  "Be  it  known  unto  you  all,  and  to  all  the  people  of 
Israel,  that  by  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth,  whom 
ye  crucified,  whom  God  raised  from  the  dead,  even  by  him 
doth  this  man  stand  here  before  you  whole."  And  in  like 
manner  Peter  said  unto  one  sick  of  the  palsy:  "Eneas, 
Jesus  Christ  maketh  thee  whole." 

The  Apostles  did  not  affect  to  be  "lords  over  God's 
heritage,"  but  were,  in  humility  and  meekness,  examples  of 
the  flock.  They  were  servants  of  God  and  servants  of  the 
Church.  So  should  every  minister  of  Christ  walk  as  they 
walked,  in  lowliness  of  mind,  giving  no  just  occasion  of 
offence,  but  condescending  to  the  infirmities  of  the  weak, 
as  our  blessed  Lord  washed  the  disciples'  feet.  This  sub- 
ject was  further  illustrated  by  reference  to  important  facts 
in  ecclesiastical  history,  showing  the  disastrous  conse- 
quences that  have  resulted  from  the  pride  and  ambition  of 
some  who  pretended  to  be  ministers  of  Christ. 

Our  dear  friend  Mary  B.  Needles  followed  with  some 
appropriate  remarks,  and  after  an  interval  of  silence, 
I  found  my  way  open  to  address  the  young  people  on  the 
duty  of  devoting  the  prime  of  their  day  to  the  service  of 
God,  showing  the  happiness  that  would  result  from  it. 

Before  I  parted  with  the  other  members  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting's  Committee,  we  conferred  together  on  the  sub- 
ject of  our  appointment,  and  were  entirely  united  in  judg- 
ment that  the  establishment  of  a  Quarterly  Meeting  here, 
as  requested,  will  be  right  and  conducive  to  the  welfare  of 
the  Society. 

On  Second-day,  the  23rd  of  Fifth  month,  I  parted  with 
my  dear  companions  in  travel,  they  returning  homeward 


214  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

and  I  remaining  in  Iowa  to  accomplish  the  remainder  of 
the  service  assigned  me.  At  Burlington  I  went  on  board 
a  steamboat  and  proceeded  up  the  Mississippi  River  to 
Muscatine.  The  separation  from  my  companions  and  the 
remembrance  of  my  dear  family  and  friends  at  home,  more 
than  a  thousand  miles  distant,  together  with  the  perils  and 
anxieties  attendant  on  the  civil  war  now  raging  in  Vir- 
ginia, all  tended  to  produce  a  feeling  of  loneliness  almost 
amounting  to  melancholy.  But  remembering  the  many 
mercies  extended  to  me  in  times  past  by  the  Author  of  my 
being,  I  found  comfort  in  the  assurance  that  He  is  ever 
nigh  to  keep  those  who  trust  in  Him.  May  He  be  pleased 
to  preserve  and  guide  the  dear  inmates  of  my  home,  and 
extend  over  our  beloved  country  the  sceptre  of  His  merci- 
ful protection,  to  assuage  the  passions  of  men,  and  restore 
the  blessings  of  peace. 

After  attending  meetings  at  Iowa  City,  Wapsinonoc  and 
Atalissa,  I  left  West  Liberty  on  the  30th,  and  proceeded 
to  Marshall  County,  Illinois,  by  rail  and  stage.  Much 
of  the  way  was  through  a  beautiful  rolling  prairie  decked 
with  flowers,  and  in  many  places  abounding  in  flocks  of 
sheep  and  herds  of  cattle,  with  farm  houses  and  villages 
frequently  in  view. 

31st. — Attended  a  meeting  appointed  for  me  at  Mari- 
etta, a  village  five  miles  from  Marshalltown.  The  Divine 
Life  was  felt,  and  I  thought  I  was  favored  in  ministering. 
There  are  many  Friends  in  the  neighborhood  connected 
with  us,  and  a  settlement  of  Orthodox  Friends  near,  some 
of  whom  were  present.  Our  Friends  feel  the  want  of  a 
meeting,  but  they  think  they  are  too  weak  to  hold  one.  I 
encouraged  them  to  look  for  strength  to  the  Shepherd  of 
Israel. 

Sixth  month,  1st. — I  arrived  at   Sterling,  Illinois,  and 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  215 

after  spending  several  days  in  that  vicinity  visiting  Friends 
(some  of  whom  had  lately  moved  from  Loudoun  County, 
Virginia,  to  Illinois,  and  had  looked  for  my  visit  with 
deep  interest,)  and  appointing  one  meeting  there,  I  came, 
on  the  4th,  to  Chicago,  and  was  met  at  the  cars  by  a 
Friend  who  conducted  me  to  the  house  of  David  Town- 
send. 

Sixth  month,  5th,  First-day. — I  attended  a  meeting 
here.  It  was  composed  of  some  of  our  Society,  a  num- 
ber of  Orthodox  Friends,  and  a  few  Norwegians,  who  are 
friends  in  principle.  They  meet  every  First-day  in  a  room 
belonging  to  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and 
the  meeting  is  understood  to  be  free  to  all  who  profess 
with  Friends,  but  is  not  under  the  control  of  any  meet- 
ing for  discipline.  It  has  been  gathered  within  a  few 
months,  and  I  trust  will  continue  to  increase  and  prosper. 
The  room,  I  suppose,  would  accommodate  one  hundred 
and  fifty  people,  and  was  about  three-fourths  filled.  I 
found  my  mind  clothed  with  love  and  furnished  with 
ability  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  them,  and  I  think  it  met 
with  acceptance  in  the  hearts  of  all. 

After  meeting  I  received  a  cordial  greeting  from  many, 
and  the  Norwegians,  who  could  speak  but  little  of  our 
language,  manifested  their  unity  and  good  feeling.  Some 
of  them  at  times  appear  in  supplication  and  exhortation 
in  their  own  language,  which  is  unintelligible  to  most  of 
the  audience,  but  our  Friends  say  the  unction  that  accom- 
panies their  ministry  may  be  felt. 

Sixth  month,  7th. — Flaving  returned  from  Chicago  to 
Joseph  Wilson's,  near  Sterling,  I  attended  a  meeting  ap- 
pointed at  my  request.  It  was  held  in  a  grove,  where 
seats  had  been  provided,  and  there  was  a  considerable 
company  in  attendance,  most  of  whom  were  Friends   or 


21 6  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

descendants  of  Friends.     It  was  considered  a  good  meet- 
ing, and  I  was  favored  in  communication. 

In  the  evening  I  came  to  Dixon,  about  twelve  miles, 
where  a  meeting  had  been  appointed  for  me  in  the  Meth- 
odist Meeting-house.  It  was  large  and  solemn,  though 
very  few  Friends  live  near  enough  to  attend.  The  congre- 
gation was  of  various  sects ;  most  of  the  ministers  in  the 
town  were  present,  and  about  two  hundred  soldiers,  lately 
recruited,  were  in  attendance.  The  subject  opened  to  my 
view  and  chiefly  dwelt  upon  was  the  doctrine  of  regenera- 
tion, showing  the  necessity  of  being  born  again  of  the 
Spirit  in  order  to  attain  to  holiness  and  happiness.  It  was 
a  favored  season,  and,  I  think,  generally  felt  to  be  so. 

8th. — Leaving  Dixon,  I  proceeded  on  my  way,  and  at 
Tonica,  a  distance  of  fifty-six  miles,  was  met  by  our 
kind  friend  William  M.  Price,  who  came  with  a  carriage 
to  convey  me  eight  miles  to  his  house.  There  I  met  Eliz- 
abeth Brooks,  minister  from  Blue  River  Quarterly  Meeting, 
and  her  companion,  Eliza  Satterthwaite,  who  were  accom- 
panied by  William  Lewelling  and  were  visiting  the  meet- 
ings and  families  of  Friends  in  the  love  of  the  Gospel. 

The  evening  passed  sweetly  in  the  company  of  these 
dear  friends,  and  we  had  a  religious  opportunity  in  the 
family  that  was  refreshing  to  our  minds. 

9th. — Attended  Clear  Creek  Meeting  of  Friends,  and 
notice  of  our  coming  having  been  given,  the  house  was 
crowded.  It  was  a  precious  baptizing  season,  in  which 
Elizabeth  Brooks  and  her  companion  participated  with  me 
in  Gospel  communication. 

In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  Henry,  and  next  morn- 
ing proceeded  to  Canton,  where  I  was  welcomed  by  Jonah 
H.  Rees  and  family. 

The  following  day  he  and  his  wife  went  with  me  twenty- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  217 

eight  miles  to  Ipava,  Fulton  County,  and  thence  to  the 
house  of  my  cousin,  Joseph  Russell. 

10th,  First-day. — We  attended  Friends'  Meeting  at 
Plainfield.  Notice  being  given,  the  house  was  crowded, 
and  the  meeting  was  favored  with  the  evidence  of  Divine 
life.  For  many  years  this  meeting  had  been  in  a  weak, 
declining  condition  ;  there  has  lately  been  some  improve- 
ment in  the  attendance  of  its  members,  and  I  trust  it  will 
not  be  forsaken. 

After  spending  a  day  in  visiting  my  relatives,  I  came 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  to  Benjaminville,  where 
I  attended  the  meeting  on  Fifth-day,  which  was  satis- 
factory. 

17th. — Came  to  Honey  Creek,  and  had  an  appointed 
meeting  at  the  house  of  David  Reynolds.  The  notice  was 
short,  but  most  of  the  Friends  and  some  others  were  in 
attendance.     I  felt  the  reward  of  peace. 

18th. — Came  to  Richmond,  Indiana,  and  the  next  day 
being  the  first  of  the  week,  I  attended  their  meeting.  The 
subject  of  the  communication  was  the  healing  of  our  spir- 
itual maladies  through  the  power  of  Christ,  and  the  neces- 
sity of  our  having  faith  in  him  as  an  ever-present  Saviour. 

22nd. — Remained  there  until  to-day,  when  I  came  to 
Springboro'  and  attended  Monthly  Meeting,  and  also  one 
for  the  solemnization  of  a  marriage. 

26th,  First-day. — Attended  meeting  at  Waynesville  in 
the  forenoon,  and  had  an  appointed  one  in  the  afternoon 
at  the  Grove  Meeting-house,  near  Harveysburg.  Many 
colored  people  were  in  attendance,  who  came  from  Vir- 
ginia within  a  few  years  past,  and  having  known  me  there, 
were  anxious  to  see  me.  Their  greetings  were  warm,  and 
their  inquiries  after  their  old  friends  and  neighbors  were 
earnest  and  affectionate.     Some  of  them  had  worked  for 


218  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

me,  and  some  of  the  younger  ones  I  had  taught  in  a  First- 
day  school  at  our  house.  They  manifested  their  regard  in 
the  most  earnest  manner. 

After  visiting  the  meetings  of  Green  Plain  and  Oak- 
land, I  started  for  my  home,  where  I  arrived  on  the  30th, 
and  had  the  satisfaction  of  finding  my  family  in  better 
health  than  when  I  left  them,  for  which  favor  and  the 
many  mercies  of  our  Father  in  Heaven  I  desire  to  be  pro- 
foundly grateful.  In  this  journey  I  was  absent  from  home 
eight  weeks,  and  travelled  about  three  thousand  and  fifty- 
five  miles. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

1 864-' 65. 

Citizens  of  Loudoun  arrested  by  Union  troops — Goes  to  Washington 
to  procure  their  release — Interview  with  General  Sheridan  and 
other  military  commanders — Part  of  the  prisoners  liberated  on  pa- 
role, others  kept  as  hostages  for  exchange — Attends  Baltimore 
Yearly  Meeting — Again  lays  before  the  meeting  his  concern  that 
an  equitable  share  of  the  property  shall  be  offered  the  Orthodox 
Friends,  which  was  united  with — An  extract  from  the  minutes  of 
the  meeting — Goes  to  Philadelphia— A  serious  accident  on  the 
train — General  Sheridan's  raid  in  Loudoun — Much  distress  there — 
Help  solicited  from  the  North,  which  is  cheerfully  given — Closing 
of  the  war — Death  of  President  Lincoln. 

On  First-day,  the  21st  of  Eighth  month,  1864,  as  some 
of  our  Friends  were  going  home  from  meeting  they  met  a 
detachment  of  Federal  cavalry,  commanded  by  Major 
Waite,  of  Illinois.  They  had  with  them  a  number  of  citi- 
zen prisoners,  whom  they  had  arrested  at  or  near  their 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  219 

homes,  and  they  added  to  the  number  several  members 
of  our  Society  then  on  their  way  from  meeting.  They 
passed  near  our  house,  but  I  was  not  at  home. 

Early  the  next  morning  I  went  to  Purcelville  and  found 
the  troops  and  prisoners  near  that  place  in  a  piece  of 
woods,  where  they  had  spent  the  night.  I  spoke  to  the 
Major  on  behalf  of  the  citizens  he  had  arrested,  desiring 
that  they  might  be  liberated.  He  said  he  would  release 
those  I  would  vouch  for  as  Union  men,  a  number  of  whom 
had  already  been  singled  out  for  liberation  before  my  ar- 
rival on  the  ground.  As  most  of  the  others  were  strangers 
to  me,  and  the  whole  of  them  were  just  on  the  point  of 
marching,  no  opportunity  was  afforded  to  obtain  their 
release.  I  solicited  the  liberation  of  Dr.  B.,  not  vouching 
for  his  loyalty,  but  on  the  ground  of  his  usefulness  in  the 
neighborhood  and  the  scarcity  of  physicians.  My  request 
was  not  granted,  and  the  troops,  with  their  prisoners, 
moved  on. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  I  was  notified  by  two 
of  Moseby's  Confederate  cavalry  that  I  must  report  to 
Moseby  within  fifteen  days  unless  Dr.  B.  was  released. 
They  said  other  Union  men  would  be  held  responsible  for 
the  return  of  such  of  the  prisoners  as  were  secessionists.  I 
told  them  there  was  no  need  of  placing  me  under  any  re- 
straint, as  I  had  already  made  application  for  the  release 
of  the  doctor  and  other  prisoners,  and  that  I  was  then  pre- 
paring to  go  to  Washington  for  the  same  purpose.  They 
exacted  no  promise  from  me,  and  took  leave. 

My  wife  and  I  had  been  expecting  to  go  to  Alexandria 
on  a  visit,  and  intended  to  start  about  the  middle  of  the 
week,  but  I  thought  it  best  to  proceed  at  once,  and  let  her 
follow  me  in  a  few  days.  I  had  a  passport  from  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  authorizing  me  to  cross  the  Po- 


220  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

totnac  and  go  to  Baltimore.  When  I  arrived  near  the 
river,  I  met  some  Union  men  returning  from  the  ferry  at 
Point  of  Rocks,  who  told  me  no  person  was  allowed  to  go 
over,  and  although  one  of  them  had  a  pass  from  General 
Augur,  they  were  warned  by  the  Federal  troops  to  leave 
the  river,  and  a  gun  was  fired  over  their  heads  from  the 
opposite  side.  I  concluded,  however,  to  go  on,  and  when 
I  reached  the  ferry  the  guards  on  the  Maryland  side  hal- 
looed to  know  what  I  wanted.  I  replied  :  "I  wish  to  go 
over  on  important  business.  I  have  a  pass  from  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  Ask  the  captain  to  come 
over."  The  captain  came,  and  agreed,  after  some  hesita- 
tion, to  allow  me  to  proceed  to  Washington,  accompanied 
by  a  young  friend. 

On  Fourth-day  morning  I  waited  on  General  Augur, 
in  Washington,  who  treated  me  with  courtesy  and  kind- 
ness, expressed  his  apprehensions  that  the  arrest  of  the 
citizens  in  Loudoun  would  lead  to  unpleasant  conse- 
quences, and  gave  me  a  letter  to  C.  A.  Dana,  Assistant 
Secretary  of  War. 

I  immediately  waited  on  him,  and  was  kindly  received. 
He  said  the  order  originated  with  Lieutenant.  General 
Grant,  and  was  intended  only  to  bring  out  of  Loudoun 
such  citizens  as  were  liable  to  rebel  conscription.  He  felt 
some  hesitation  about  releasing  the  prisoners,  although 
some  of  them  were  old  men,  beyond  the  age  for  military 
service. 

He  proposed  that  I  should  go  to  General  Sheridan, 
commander  of  the  military  district  in  which  Loudoun  is 
included.  His  headquarters  being  near  Harper's  Ferry, 
the  Secretary  gave  me  a  passport,  together  with  General 
Augur's  letter  and  his  own  endorsement. 

On  Fifth-day  morning,   the    25  th,   accompanied   by  a 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  221 

citizen  of  Jefferson  County,  I  went  by  railroad  to  Harper's 
Ferry,  thence  proceeded  about  two  miles  beyond,  where  I 
found  General  Sheridan's  headquarters  in  a  tent,  and  his 
army  encamped  in  sight.  He  received  me  courteously, 
read  the  letter,  and  heard  my  statement.  Then  he  re- 
marked :  "  We  must  all  bear  the  burdens  imposed  by  this 
war.  I  and  my  soldiers  have  to  bear  our  burden  in  the 
field  of  battle ;  thousands  of  bereaved  families  have  to 
bear  theirs  in  the  loss  of  near  and  dear  kindred  ;  and  you 
people  of  Loudoun  must  not  complain  if  you  have  to  bear 
your  share."  I  told  him  the  Union  men  of  Loudoun  were 
truly  loyal,  and  we  did  not  wish  to  embarrass  the  Govern- 
ment ;  we  thought,  however,  that  no  advantage,  but  much 
injury,  would  result  from  the  manner  in  which  General 
Grant's  order  had  been  executed.  He  said  the  old  men 
should  be  released,  and  also  the  doctors,  of  whom  there 
were  two  among  the  prisoners ;  as  to  the  rest,  he  would 
telegraph  to  General  Augur  in  relation  to  them.  After  a 
pleasant  interview  we  took  leave,  and  next  day  returned 
to  Washington. 

Seventh-day,  27th. — In  company  with  William  Wil- 
liams and  C  P.  Janney  I  waited  on  General  Augur,  who 
said  he  had  not  received  the  telegram  from  General  Sheri- 
dan. We  then  waited  on  Secretary  Dana,  and  I  reported 
the  result  of  my  interview  with  General  Sheridan.  I  told 
him,  moreover,  that  I  apprehended  the  most  disastrous 
consequences  from  the  policy  that  I  feared  was  about  to 
be  pursued  by  the  Federal  forces.  If  they  swept  through 
the  county  frequently,  arresting  peaceable  citizens  who 
had  committed  no  overt  act  against  the  Federal  govern- 
ment, and  against  whom  there  was  no  charge  except  for 
their  political  opinions,  the  consequence  would  be  that  an 
equal  number  of  Union  men  would  be  arrested  by  the  seces- 


222  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

sionists  and  carried  as  prisoners  to  Richmond,  where  the 
most  cruel  treatment  awaits  them.  And  furthermore,  if  the 
Federal  troops  come  and  destroy  our  crops  and  take  away 
our  cattle,  as  they  have  done  in  Frederick  and  Jefferson 
Counties,  it  will  inflict  great  suffering  without  any  equiva- 
lent advantage. 

After  hearing  my  statement,  the  Secretary  advised  me  to 
write  to  General  Grant  on  the  subject,  and  the  letter 
should  be  forwarded  by  the  War  Department.  I  told  him 
I  was  willing  to  do  so,  and  would  bring  him  my  letter. 

During  one  of  my  visits  to  the  War  Department  I  met 
with  Major  De  Vere  Burr,  Judge  of  the  County  Court, 
District  of  Columbia,  who  was  waiting  to  see  the  Secretary 
on  the  same  errand  that  brought  me  thither.  We  soon 
formed  an  acquaintance,  and  finding  our  sentiments  to  coin- 
cide, a  friendship  sprang  up  between  us,  which  led  us  to 
become  fellow  laborers. 

First-day,  28th. — This  day  I  had  two  appointed  meet- 
ings for  Divine  worship  in  Alexandria.  The  Friends' 
Meeting  House  has  for  about  two  years  past  been  occupied 
for  a  hospital,  and  the  meeting  has  gone  down.  Judge 
Underwood,  of  the  United  States  District  Court,  kindly 
gave  us  the  use  of  his  Court  Room,  and,  with  his  family, 
attended  both  meetings. 

Second-day,  29th. — In  conjunction  with  De  Vere  Burr, 
we  resumed  our  efforts  for  the  liberation  of  such  of  the 
prisoners  as  we  deemed  worthy.  Having  obtained  a  list 
of  the  names,  we  collected  testimony  from  Union  men 
concerning  the  characters  of  those  whom  they  knew,  and 
such  as  were  peaceable  and  inoffensive  we  recommended 
to  the  favorable  consideration  of  Secretary  Dana.  I  gave 
him  a  list  of  about  twenty-eight,  whom  he  agreed  to  liber- 
ate on  parole.     Most  of  the  married  men  were  allowed  to 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  223 

return  to  their  homes,  promising  to  do  nothing  to  the 
injury  of  the  United  States  Government;  but  the  young 
men  were  required  to  promise  further,  that  they  would  not 
during  the  war  go  into  any  State  in  insurrection  without 
permission  from  the  proper  military  authorities. 

From  some  of  the  released  prisoners,  who  were  reliable 
men,  we  procured  testimony  concerning  others  yet  con- 
fined in  Carrol  Prison,  and  by  this  means  obtained  the 
liberation  of  twenty  more.  Two  or  three  were  liberated 
by  the  solicitation  of  others,  and  about  twelve  left  in 
prison.  In  effecting  the  release  of  the  prisoners,  we  were 
employed  most  of  the  week,  and  while  thus  engaged  we 
learned  that  another  company  of  prisoners,  thirty-two  in 
number,  were  brought  from  Loudoun  and  lodged  in  Carrol 

Prison.     Among  them  was  A R ,  who  had  long 

occupied  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  State  of  Virginia, 
having  represented  the  County  of  Loudoun  in  the  State 
Senate  and  filled  other  important  offices.  Like  most 
others  of  his  class  in  Eastern  Virginia,  when  the  State 
seceded,  he  was  induced  to  go  with  her,  though  he  had 
been  strongly  attached  to  the  Federal  Union. 

He  has,  however,  been  kind  to  Union  men,  and  on  one 
occasion,  when  Southern  soldiers  were  about  to  seize  the 
goods  in  our  store,  he,  with  others,  interposed  and  saved 
them.  In  company  with  D.  V.  B.  I  visited  him  and  some 
others  in  prison,  and,  on  representing  his  case  to  General 
Augur,  he  was  brought  out  and  offered  the  same  form  of 
parole  that  had  been  granted  to  others,  in  order  that  he 
might  return  to  his  home,  but  he  declined  it  and  returned 
to  prison.  He  stated  his  objection  to  giving  the  parole 
nearly  as  follows  :  "  I  have  a  son  and  several  nephews  in 
the  Confederate  Army.  If  they  should  come  to  my  house 
I  cannot  turn  them  away ;  and  should  the  Federal  troops 


224  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

approach  while  they  are  there,  I  must  take  the  liberty  of 
warning  them  to  make  their  escape.  This,  perhaps,  would 
be  considered  an  act  injurious  to  the  Federal  cause  and 
therefore  a  violation  of  my  parole.  And  moreover,  I  wish 
to  retain  the  privilege  of  expressing  freely  my  sentiments 
without  restraint.  I  fear  the  parole  would  injure  me  in 
the  estimation  of  my  fellow  citizens  of  Virginia,  who  have 
always  honored  me  with  their  confidence."  He  was 
remanded  to  prison. 

Information  being  received  by  the  War  Department  that 
twenty-six  citizens  of  Pennsylvania,  carried  off  by  the 
Confederates,  have  been  prisoners  for  about  a  year,  and 
are  now  in  Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  it  has  been  con- 
cluded to  hold  General  R and  twenty-five  of  his  fellow 

prisoners  as  hostages,  for  exchange,  and  to  apprise  the 
Confederate  Government  at  Richmond  of  the  fact. 

1864,  Eleventh  month,  3rd. — Our  Yearly  Meeting  held 
at  Baltimore,  has  been  a  season  of  Divine  favor,  during 
which  we  have  been  permitted  to  draw  nigh  to  the  Father 
of  Spirits,  and  to  rejoice  together  in  His  presence.  At  the 
last  sitting  I  felt  constrained  by  a  sense  of  duty  to  open 
once  more  a  concern  that  had  come  up  from  our  Monthly 
and  Quarterly  Meetings  some  years  ago,  but  which  was 
not  then  united  with  by  the  Yearly  Meeting.  It  was  a 
proposition  to  offer  to  the  Orthodox  Friends,  who  hold 
their  Annual  Assembly  in  Baltimore,  an  equitable  share  of 
the  property  held  by  our  Yearly  Meeting,  to  be  divided 
between  the  two  bodies  according  to  the  number  of  mem- 
bers'composing  each  of  them  in  1828,  when  the  separation 
took  place.  The  proposition  was  adopted  without  a  dis- 
senting voice,  and  the  Representative  Committee  was 
directed  to  open  a  communication  with  the  Orthodox 
Friends  and  make  them  the  offer.     This  concern  having 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  '225 

been  on  my  mind  at  times  for  many  years,  I  was  truly  glad 
that  the  proposed  measure  was  adopted  with  so  much 
unanimity. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  embody  the  exercises  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting,  produced  a  minute,  which  was  sent 
down  in   the    ''Extracts"   to  our  subordinate  meetings. 

The  following  passages  have  been  selected  from  it : — 

"  The  sanguinary  conflict  that  now  rages  in  our  beloved 
country,  laying  waste  some  of  its  fairest  scenes,  bringing 
to  an  untimely  grave  many  thousands  of  its  inhabitants, 
and  causing  bereavement  throughout  the  land,  has  called 
forth  the  expression  of  much  sympathy  for  those  who  are 
suffering  from  this  awful  calamity.  It  has  been  our 
earnest  prayer  that  we  may  not  put  our  trust  in  the  arm 
of  flesh,  but  rather  rely  upon  the  never-failing  arm  of 
Divine  power,  which  sustained  our  worthy  ancestors  in 
seasons  of  severe  suffering,  made  them  instrumental  in 
promoting  the  cause  of  Truth,  and,  in  His  own  good  time, 
delivered  them  from  all  their  afflictions. 

"Our  ancient  testimony  to  the  peaceable  nature  of 
Christ's  kingdom,  has  been  made  more  dear  to  our  hearts, 
by  contemplating  the  scenes  of  carnage  and  destruction 
that  abound  in  our  land.  It  was  doubtless  the  intention  of 
the  Most  High  in  sending  his  beloved  Son  into  the  world, 
to  redeem  mankind  from  the  dominion  of  evil,  to  influence 
them  by  his  meek  example  and  sublime  precepts,  and 
through  the  guidance  of  his  pure  Spirit,  to  bring  them  into 
harmony  and  fraternal  love.  This  happy  condition  was 
shadowed  forth  in  the  figurative  language  of  prophecy : 
'The  wolf  shall  dwell  with  the  lamb  ;  the  leopard  shall  lie 
down  with  the  kid,  and  the  calf  and  the  young  lion,  and 
the  fatling  together,  and  a  little  child  shall  lead  them.' 

"  The  primitive  Christian  Church  was  the  depository  of 

*5 


226  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

this  pure  doctrine,  which  subsequently  became  obscured 
through  the  false  teaching  of  a  corrupt  priesthood,  and  an 
alliance  with  the  world ;  but  being  revived  by  the  early 
Friends,  the  precious  legacy  has  been  transmitted  to  us. 
May  we  ever  remember  that  the  Truth  of  God  can  only  be 
promoted  by  obedience  to  His  spiritual  law;  and  placing 
the  light  upon  the  candlestick  by  a  consistent  example, 
may  we  keep  alive  the  sacred  flame  which  must  spread  far 
and  wide,  before  the  prophecy  shall  be  fulfilled,  '  The 
kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
Lord  and  of  His  Christ.' 

"  We  have  rejoiced  in  the  announcement  that,  throughout 
the  State  of  Maryland,  liberty  has  been  proclaimed  to  the 
long-oppressed  descendants  of  Africa,  and  an  earnest  de- 
sire has  been  expressed  in  this  Meeting,  that  we  may  not 
be  unmindful  of  the  great  work  yet  to  be  accomplished,  in 
extending  to  the  freed  people  who  dwell  among  us,  the 
benefits  of  education  and  Christian  care.  In  contempla- 
ting the  progress  of  our  testimony  against  slavery,  from 
its  small  beginning  near  the  close  of  the  17th  century,  to 
the  present  day,  our  hearts  are  filled  with  gratitude  and 
love  to  that  Almighty  Being  who  called  our  predecessors 
to  labor  in  this  cause,  and  led  them  safely  along  through 
the  guidance  of  His  grace.  The  prophetic  language  of 
John  Woolman,  written  nearly  one  hundred  years  ago,  has 
been  feelingly  revived  among  us,  as  being  now  in  the  pro- 
cess of  fulfilment :  '  I  have  seen  in  the  light  of  the  Lord, 
that  the  day  is  approaching,  when  the  man  that  is  most 
wise  in  human  policy,  shall  be  the  greatest  fool ;  and  the 
arm  that  is  mighty  to  support  injustice,  shall  be  broken  to 
pieces.  The  enemies  of  righteousness  shall  make  a  terrible 
rattle,  and  shall  mightily  torment  one  another;  for  He 
that  is  omnipotent  is  rising  up  to  judgment,  and  will  plead 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  '227 

the  cause  of  the  oppressed ;  and  He  commanded  me  to 
open  the  vision.' 

"The  Christian  duty  of  dealing  with  offenders  in  the 
spirit  of  meekness  and  love,  has  been,  to  our  minds,  a  sub- 
ject of  religious  exercise,  and  an  earnest  desire  is  felt  that 
at  this  trying  season  we  may  be  governed  by  Divine  wis- 
dom, remembering  that  the  first  object  to  be  sought  is  the 
restoration  of  the  diseased  member  to  health  rather  than 
its  separation  from  the  body. 

"  Our  Meeting  this  year  has  been  unusually  large,  and 
favored  with  remarkable  solemnity.  A  considerable 
number  have  attended  from  that  section  of  our  country 
where  the  scourge  of  war  has  exerted  its  desolating  effects. 
Although  great  pecuniary  losses  have  been  sustained,  and 
personal  danger  sometimes  encountered,  we  have  rejoiced 
in  learning  that  the  Meetings  of  Friends  have  been  gene- 
rally kept  up,  their  lives  have  been  preserved  from  the  hand 
of  violence,  and  amidst  all  their  trials,  they  have  often  had 
cause  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord." 

After  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  I  went  to  Wash- 
ington and  Alexandria,  with  other  members  of  a  Com- 
mittee appointed  by  our  Quarter,  to  visit  the  Friends  in 
those  places.  We  found  in  Washington  a  very  small  body 
of  Friends,  who  keep  up  their  meetings  for  worship  on 
First-days,  but  have  dropped  them  in  the  middle  of  the 
week. 

We  held  conference  with  them  to  encourage  them  in  the 
faithful  performance  of  their  religious  duties,  and  on  First- 
day  morning  we  met  with  them. 

The  meeting  of  Friends  at  Alexandria  had  been  discon- 
tinued for  more  than  two  years,  and  the  house  was  now 
occupied  by  the  Government  for  a  hospital.  On  First-day 
afternoon  we  appointed,  a  meeting  in  the  Town  Hall,  to 


228  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

which  Friends  and  others  were  invited ;  at  the  close  of 
which  we  proposed  to  hold  a  conference  with  those  present 
who  wished  to  see  the  Friends'  meeting  in  Alexandria  re- 
established. Several  families  of  our  members  remained 
with  us,  and,  after  conversing  with  them,  it  was  concluded 
to  meet  and  confer  together  in  the  evening  at  Dr.  Edward 
Janney's  house. 

We  met  accordingly,  there  being  about  twenty  present, 
and  it  proved  to  be  a  solemn  and  satisfactory  occasion.  It 
appeared  to  be  the  unanimous  wish  of  those  present  to 
revive  the  meeting,  and  the  room  where  we  met  being 
offered  for  that  purpose,  it  was  accepted  as  a  temporary 
arrangement  until  their  meeting  house  could  be  procured. 

A  few  days  afterwards  two  of  the  Friends  applied  to  the 
authorities  at  Washington  for  the  restoration  of  their  meet- 
ing house,  which  was  promptly  granted,  and  orders  were 
given  for  it  to  be  repaired  at  the  expense  of  the  Govern- 
ment. 

Leaving  Alexandria,  I  went  to  Washington,  and  met 
there  some  other  members  of  our  Yearly  Meeting  Commit- 
tee on  Indian  concerns. 

We  waited  on  the  United  States  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  to  whom  we  represented  the  condition  of  the 
Seneca  Indians,  who  have  lately  suffered  from  the  ravages 
of  disease. 

The  Commissioner  manifested  much  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  Indians,  and  agreed  to  grant,  from  the  pub- 
lic funds,  some  further  assistance  to  the  Orphan  Asylum 
on  the  Reservation. 

At  Washington  I  took  the  cars  for  Philadelphia.  Some 
detention  occurring  on  the  road,  we  did  not  reach  Balti- 
more in  time  to  make  the  usual  connection,  and  being 
delayed  there  some  hours,  we  did  not  start  for  Philadelphia 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M,  Janney.  229 

until  near  eleven  o'clock  at  night.  After  running  for 
about  an  hour  a  terrible  crash  occurred,  many  of  the  cars 
were  thrown  off  the  track,  and  that  in  which  I  was  seated 
was  whirled  round  across  the  track,  thrown  with  violence 
on  its  side,  and  much  broken.  I  felt  that  we  were  in 
imminent  danger,  and  put  up  a  petition  to  our  Almighty 
Protector,  who  graciously  preserved  me  from  harm,  and  to 
Him  alone  I  ascribe  the  praise.  One  man,  who  sat  not 
far  from  me,  was  killed,  and  one,  in  another  car,  was  so 
severely  injured  that  he  died  in  a  few  hours.  Many  were 
bruised,  but  considering  the  violence  of  the  concussion,  it 
is  wonderful  that  so  few  lives  were  lost.  It  was  about  mid- 
night, and  no  house  being  in  sight,  the  passengers  made 
large  fires,  using  fragments  of  the  cars  for  fuel.  There  we 
remained  till  morning,  when  a  train  from  Philadelphia 
came  and  took  us  thither.  I  went  directly  to  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  of  Friends  then  sitting  in  the  City,  which  I 
attended  with  satisfaction. 

After  visiting  my  daughter-in-law  and  grandchildren, 
in  Columbia  County,  New  York,  I  returned  to  my  home 
about  the  2nd  of  the  Twelfth  month,  where  I  found 
my  friends  and  neighbors  much  distressed  from  a  calamity 
that  had  just  occurred. 

It  appears  that  Major  General  Sheridan,  commanding 
the  Middle  Military  Division  of  the  Army  of  the  United 
States,  issued  an  order,  in  the  Eleventh  month,  1864,  "to 
destroy  and  consume  all  forage  and  subsistence,  burn  all 
barns  and  mills  with  their  contents,  and  drive  off  all 
stock,"  in  the  region  lying  between  the  Shenandoah  River 
and  the  Catocten  Mountain.  This  measure  was  intended 
to  prevent  the  forage  and  subsistence  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  guerilla  bands  who  infest  the  northern  part  of 
Virginia.     It  was  stated  in  the  order,  that  "  no  dwellings 


230  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

were  to  be  burned,  and  that  no  personal  violence  was  to 
be  offered  to  the  citizens." 

The  region  of  country  affected  by  this  order  includes 
the  Friends'  settlement  around  Goose  Creek  Meeting- 
house, and  that  in  the  vicinity  of  Waterford,  as  well  as 
the  village  of  Lovettsville,  all  of  which  are  neighborhoods 
inhabited  chiefly  by  citizens  who  have  been  steadfast  in 
their  loyalty  to  the  National  Government. 

The  aggregate  loss  by  Union  men  was,  for  property 
burned,  $196,000,  and  for  live  stock  taken  away,  about 
$60,000.  That  sustained  by  Friends  of  our  Monthly 
Meeting  at  Goose  Creek,  was  about  $80,000,  and  by  mem- 
bers of  Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting  (held  at  Waterford), 
$23,000,  including  both  property  burned  and  live  stock 
taken.  No  estimate  that  I  know  of  has  been  made  of  the 
losses  of  the  secessionists,  but  it  must  have  been  almost 
equally  great. 

The  measure  was  adopted  from  military  expediency  by 
General  Sheridan,  but  it  was  evidently  a  blunder,  as  well 
as  a  great  hardship  to  the  people. 

After  the  burning,  the  troops  were  withdrawn  to  the 
Shenandoah  valley,  but  very  soon  returned  to  winter  here, 
and  established  an  encampment  near  Lovettsville,  in  this 
county.  The  very  forage  and  subsistence  they  had  re- 
cently destroyed  was  then  needed  by  themselves,  and  sup- 
plies had  to  be  brought  from  Maryland. 

One  of  the  principal  sufferers  in  our  neighborhood  was 
my  brother,  Asa  M.  Janney,  whose  flouring  and  saw-mill, 
with  upwards  of  three  thousand  bushels  of  wheat,  were 
burned.  He  is  one  of  the  most  thoroughly  loyal  citizens 
we  have,  and  one  of  the  most  excellent  of  men. 

My  own  loss  was  small  compared  with  many  others; 
they  did  not  burn  my  barn,  owing  to  its  proximity  to  a 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  231 

dwelling,  but  they  drove  away  the  horses  and  cattle  owned 
by  my  son-in-law,  W.  T.  Shoemaker,  and  myself. 

Feeling  much  sympathy  for  my  neighbors,  and  espe- 
cially for  the  members  of  our  religious  Society  who  were 
stripped  of  their  property,  I  wrote  to  my  friends  in  Phila- 
delphia and  New  York,  describing  the  condition  of  affairs 
here,  and  stating  that  some  aid  will  be  needed  whenever 
the  way  opens  for  the  resumption  of  business  in  the 
spring.  Our  Yearly  Meeting  last  fall  having  appointed  a 
committee  to  extend  relief  to  Friends  in  Virginia  who 
have  suffered  from  the  ravages  of  waT,  we  think  the  pre- 
sent necessities  of  those  among  us  who  require  aid  can  be 
supplied  from  that  source. 

Our  northern  Friends  have  responded  promptly  and 
feelingly  to  our  call,  committees  have  been  appointed  to 
receive  subscriptions,  and  there  is  a  prospect  of  liberal 
contributions  being  made.* 

My  neighbors  and  other  Union  men  in  the  county,  be- 
lieving that  we  have  a  just  claim  to  compensation  from 
the  Federal  Government  for  property  burned  or  taken 
away,  requested  me  to  go  to  Washington  and  lay  our  case 
before  Congress.  Accordingly  I  wrote  a  petition,  stating 
the  case  and  asking  for  redress,  which  was  soon  signed  by 
many  loyal  citizens.  On  reaching  Washington,  I  waited 
on  E.  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War,  who  gave  me  no  en- 
couragement to  hope  for  any  redress  from  his  department. 
My  cousin,  Charles  P.  Janney,  of  our  county,  joined  me, 
at  my  request,  and  we  proceeded  to  work  vigorously,  call- 
ing on  members  of  Congress  and  bringing  to  bear  all  the 
influence  we  could  enlist  in  favor  of  our  petition.  The 
justice  of  our  claim  was  generally  acknowledged,  but  the 
immense  amount  of  similar  claims  expected  to  be  pre- 


*  Large  contributions  were  received. 


232  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

sented,  together  with  the  enormous  expenses  of  the  war, 
induced  some  members  to  doubt  the  expediency  of  grant- 
ing the  relief  needed  by  our  impoverished  fellow-citizens. 

Our  petition  being  referred,  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, to  the  Committee  on  Claims,  we  had  inter- 
views with  the  members,  and  they  agreed  to  report  in  our 
favor.  A  joint  resolution,  to  pay  for  the  live  stock  taken 
(about  $60,000),  was  reported,  and  passed  by  the  House, 
but  the  close  of  the  session  being  very  near,  it  did  not 
pass  the  Senate.*  There  was  also  a  bill  reported  to  pay 
for  the  property  burned  belonging  to  loyal  citizens,  but  it 
was  not  acted  on  in  either  House. 

I  returned  home  in  the  latter  part  of  the  Second  month, 
in  time  to  attend  our  Quarterly  Meeting. 

Early  in  the  Third  month,  1865,  a  detachment  of  Mose- 
by's  cavalry,  usually  called  rebel  guerillas,  came  into  our 
county,  and  began  to  seize  the  young  men  for  conscripts 
in  the  Southern  army ;  they  also  proceeded  to  take  one- 
tenth  of  all  the  corn,  wheat  and  bacon,  and  to  impress 
the  wagons  and  teams  of  the  farmers  to  transport  it.  Great 
alarm  spread  through  the  county,  many  of  the  young  men 
fled  to  Maryland  to  escape  conscription,  and  some  who 
remained  were  taken  ;  but  the  soldiers  did  not  relish  the 
business  of  conscripting,  and  nearly  all  were  allowed  to 
escape.     No  members  of  our  religious  Society  were  taken. 

One  rainy  night  about  dusk,   four   mounted    soldiers, 


*  He  subsequently  had  the  assistance  of  other  Friends  in  pressing 
those  claims,  and  the  Forty-second  Congress  (1872)  passed  a  bill  for 
$61,821.13,  to  pay  the  loyal  citizens  of  Loudoun  County  for  the  stock 
driven  off  and  sold  by  the  United  States  Government ;  but  the  bill  for 
the  property  burned  and  destroyed  (for  a  much  larger  sum)  never  be- 
came a  law,  although  passed  by  both  Houses  of  Congress  at  different 
sessions. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  233 

having  with  them  three  conscripts  on  foot,  applied  at  our 
house  for  entertainment.  I  declined  receiving  them ;  but 
they  insisted  on  staying,  and  I  was  under  the  necessity  of 
admitting  them.  An  hour  or  two  later,  three  other 
mounted  soldiers  came,  and  would  take  no  denial,  so  I 
had  to  admit  them. 

Some  of  the  soldiers  sat  up  all  night,  by  turns,  to  watch 
the  conscripts,  who  were  sleeping  on  the  floor,  and  the 
other  soldiers  slept  in  the  same  manner. 

Next  morning,  while  the  guards  were  attending  to 
their  horses,  one  of  the  conscripts  fled  and  was  not  pur- 
sued ;  the  other  two  were  taken  forward,  but  we  under- 
stood they  also  escaped,  the  soldiers  not  being  anxious  to 
recover  them. 

Third  month,  15th. — It  is  a  time  of  perplexity  and 
solicitude  among  us  :  the  season  is  come  for  farmers  to 
begin  their  spring  work,  but  they  know  not  what  to  do. 
Very  few  horses  or  cattle  were  left  by  the  Federal  troops, 
and  those  few  are  liable  to  impressment  by  the  rebels,  who 
are  still  engaged  in  taking  away  wheat,  corn  and  bacon. 

Third  month,  21st. — The'  Federal  troops,  about  one 
thousand  infantry  and  three  hundred  cavalry,  having 
come  into  the  county  and  reached  Hamilton,  three  miles 
from  our  house,  the  guerilla  cavalry  under  Moseby,  one 
hundred  and  eighty  in  number,  met  near  our  meeting- 
house (in  front  of  our  dwelling),  and  formed  in  line. 
They  waited  awhile  for  the  approach  of  the  Federals,  and 
then  proceeded  towards  Hamilton  to  reconnoitre.  About 
half  a  mile  from  that  place  they  met  the  advanced  guard 
of  the  Union  troops,  a  small  body,  and  fell  suddenly  upon 
them,  driving  them  back  to  their  lines,  capturing  a  few, 
and  killing  and  wounding  several. 

22nd. — In  company  with  my  friend,  William  Holmes, 


234  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

I  went  to  Hamilton,  to  see  if  any  attention  towards  the 
wounded  or  dead  was  needed.  We  found  the  Federal 
troops  had  gone  and  taken  another  route  to  Upperville. 
Some  of  Moseby's  men  were  there.  We  entered  a  house, 
where  we  found  three  dead  bodies  and  one  dying  man. 
They  were  Union  soldiers,  and  we  understood  four  had 
been  buried,  and  one  lieutenant  was  lying  a  corpse  in  an 
adjoining  house.  Several  wounded  soldiers  were  in  the 
village  and  near  it,  one  of  whom  I  visited.  Two  of  the 
rebels,  we  were  told,  had  been  killed,  and  several  were 
wounded.  Finding  there  was  no  need  of  our  services,  we 
returned  to  our  homes,  passing  over  the  ground  where  the 
fight  had  taken  place  and  where  a  number  of  dead  horses 
were  lying. 

This  skirmish  was  the  nearest  to  our  house  of  any  that 
had  taken  place,  and  seemed  to  bring  home  to  us  a  lively 
sense  of  the  horrors  of  war. 

Fourth  month,  12th. — We  are  now  looking  forward  with 
joy  and  hope  to  a  termination  of  this  desolating  and  de- 
structive war,  caused  by  the  love  of  power  and  gain  on  the 
part  of  southern  slaveholders: 

On  Second-day  evening,  the  10th  inst.,  we  received  the 
gratifying  intelligence  of  Lee's  surrender,  with  the  whole 
rebel  army,  in  Virginia.  Our  emotions  cannot  be  ex- 
pressed, but  will  be  remembered  by  us  as  long  as  memory 
endures. 

During  four  years  we  have  been  exposed  here  to  the 
depredations  of  the  soldiers,  our  young  men  liable  to 
rebel  conscription,  our  loyal  citizens  sometimes  arrested 
and  imprisoned  by  the  rebels,  the  crops  on  some  farms 
taken  or  destroyed,  and  the  people  kept  in  a  state  of  fever- 
ish anxiety. 

Moseby's  guerillas,  this  spring,  came  into  the  county, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  235 

and  compelled  the  people  to  entertain  them,  sometimes 
stopping  at  the  farmers'  houses  in  squads  of  ten,  twenty  or 
thirty,  and  remaining  without  consent  of  the  families  where 
they  lodged.  We  now  see  few  of  them,  and  suppose  they 
will  soon  be  disbanded. 

May  we  feel  duly  thankful  to  the  Great  Ruler  of  the 
Universe  for  this  alleviation  of  our  lot,  and  may  we  trust 
in  Him  alone  as  the  Giver  of  every  blessing. 

Fourth  month,  19th. — The  joy  of  the  loyal  people  at 
the  prospect  of  deliverance  from  rebel  oppression  and 
anticipated  restoration  of  the  National  authority,  is  sud- 
denly turned  into  mourning  for  the  loss  of  our  beloved  and 
venerated  President,  Abraham  Lincoln.  The  news  of  his 
assassination,  first  received  here  on  the  16th,  seemed  hardly 
credible,  and  the  blockade  at  the  Federal  lines  on  the  Po- 
tomac was  so  rigid,  that  we  could  not  immediately  obtain 
certain  intelligence.  On  the  17th,  we  received  a  news- 
paper confirming  the  sorrowful  report,  and  now  we  feel 
the  sad  bereavement  which  has  brought  deep  and  universal 
distress  upon  the  people  of  the  loyal  states.  For  myself, 
I  can  say  that  I  felt  for  him  an  affection  and  reverence 
that  I  never  felt  for  any  other  statesman,  and  having  had 
some  acquaintance  with  him,  I  mourn  his  death  as  the  loss 
of  a  personal  friend.  Many  of  the  secessionists  who  four 
years  ago  reviled  his  character,  having  lately  become  con- 
vinced of  his  benevolent  disposition  and  remarkable  lenity 
towards  his  enemies,  now  regret  his  removal  by  the  hand 
of  the  fiendish  assassin,  and  look  forward  with  dread  to  the 
rigid  measures  anticipated  from  his  successor. 

Once  more  we  may  say  the  counsels  of  Infinite  Wisdom, 
in  permitting  such  an  event,  are  inscrutable  to  man ;  let 
us,  therefore,  submit  without  a  murmur,  trust  in  God,  and 
bow  in  reverence  before  Him. 


CHAPTER    XIX 

1868. 

With  a  Minute  of  Concurrence,  with  his  brother,  Asa  M.  Janney,  as 
companion,  attends  the  Yearly  Meetings  of  Philadelphia,  New 
York  and  Genesee,  and  some  of  the  Meetings  composing  them. 

Fifth  month,  2nd. — Left  home  with  a  prospect  of  attend- 
ing in  Gospel  love  the  Yearly  Meetings  of  Philadelphia, 
New  York  and  Genesee,  and  some  of  the  meetings  com- 
posing them,  and  of  appointing  others,  as  stated  in  minutes 
of  concurrence  from  our  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings. 
My  brother  Asa  went  as  my  companion. 

Fifth  month,  9th. — Attended  two  sittings  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders.  They 
were  solemn  and  instructive. 

10th,  First-day. — We  attended,  in  the  morning,  the 
meeting  for  worship  at  Race  Street.  The  congregation 
was  very  large.  Meetings  were  held  in  both  apartments, 
and  in  the  school  building. 

My  mind  was  brought  into  exercise,  and  the  subject  of 
the  new  creation  in  the  soul  of  man,  by  submitting  to  the 
light  and  power  of  the  Divine  Word,  was  opened  and 
explained. 

The  beginning  and  some  of  the  successive  steps  of  this 
great  work  were  illustrated  by  the  account  given  by  Moses 
of  the  outward  creation  when  this  Globe  was  brought  into 
order  and  prepared  for  the  habitation  of  man. 

My  dear  friend  Thomas  Foulke,  of  New  York,  followed 
in  an  impressive  discourse,  further  illustrating  the  same 
subject. 

(236) 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  237 

In  the  afternoon  we  were  at  Spruce  Street,  and  in  the 
evening  at  Green  Street  meeting,  in  both  of  which  I  had 
some  service. 

Fifth  month,  nth. — The  Yearly  Meeting  was  opened, 
and  much  interesting  discourse  from  several  Friends  was 
listened  to  with  attention. 

Third-day,  the  12th. — This  morning's  sitting  was  chiefly 
occupied  with  the  consideration  of  the  answer  to  the  first 
Query  relating  to  attendance  of  meetings.  It  stands  in 
relation  to  the  other  Queries  as  does  the  first  and  great 
commandment  in  the  Decalogue.  The  worship  of 
Almighty  God  and  obedience  to  His  law  are  the  founda- 
tion on  which  all  other  duties  must  rest. 

In  the  afternoon  the  second  Query,  relating  to  love  and 
unity,  claimed  the  attention  of  the  meeting. 

Fourth-day. — The  forenoon  sitting  was  occupied  in 
considering  the  answers  to  the  third  Query,  which  relates 
to  plainness  of  dress  and  address,  the  reading  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  abstaining  from  the  reading  of  pernicious 
books  and  corrupt  conversation.  Plainness  of  speech  im- 
plies sincerity  and  truth.  The  faculty  of  communicating 
our  thoughts  and  feelings  is  a  precious  gift  that  should  • 
never  be  abused  by  indulging  in  exaggeration  for  any  pur- 
pose whatever. 

In  the  afternoon  sitting  of  Fourth-day,  there  was  much 
exercise  in  relation  to  a  free  Gospel  ministry.  I  found, 
towards  the  close  of  the  discussion,  a  duty  laid  upon  me 
to  open  what  I  believe  the  true  grounds  of  the  ministry 
dependent  for  its  authority,  its  exercise  and  its  compensa- 
tion on  the  great  Head  of  the  Church.  The  objection  to 
what  is  called  in  our  Query  "a  hireling  ministry,"  is  not 
merely  that  pecuniary  compensation  is  received  for  it,  but 
because  of  the  unauthorized  assumption  of  the  clergy.     A. 


238  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

large  class  of  them,  the  Roman  Catholics,  pretend  to 
stand  as  mediators  between  God  and  man,  offering  up,  as 
priests,  what  they  call  the  sacrifice  of  the  mass,  and  assert- 
ing that  the  bread  and  wine,  when  consecrated  by  them, 
are  the  real  body  and  blood  of  Christ.  Many  of  the  Pro- 
testant clergy  assume  that  they  only  who  are  educated  for 
the  office  and  ordained  by  the  imposition  of  hands  are 
authorized  to  preach  the  Gospel ;  while  others  among  them 
claim  no  more  than  a  call  to  be  teachers  of  the  people 
from  a  sense  of  duty.  In  the  exercise  of  my  gift  as  a  min- 
ister, I  have  not  found  it  my  duty  to  denounce  those  of 
other  denominations  who  claim  the  same  call,  nor  to  use 
harsh  epithets,  but  rather  to  set  forth  the  doctrines  and 
example  of  Christ  and  his  Apostles  in  relation  to  the  calling 
and  work  of  the  ministry.  We  know  that  the  ministry  in 
our  Society  is  much  mixed  with  that  which  does  not  pro- 
perly belong  to  it ;  and  it  does  not  become  us  to  be  cen- 
sorious, but  rather  to  speak  with  humility  and  in  charity. 

The  history  of  our  religious  Society  shows  that  the 
doctrines  and  testimonies  of  Friends  did  not  take  root  or 
prevail  in  any  part  of  Christendom  except  in  those  coun- 
tries where  the  Protestant  Reformers  had  broken  the 
ground  and  prepared  the  soil. 

They  were  instruments  in  the  Divine  hand,  although 
many  of  them  were  of  the  class  called  clergy,  and  were 
maintained  by  their  churches.  Fenelon  and  Lady  Guion 
were  cotemporaries  with  George  Fox  and  William  Penn. 
They  were  eminent  for  their  purity  and  self-denial ;  few 
have  been  more  devoted  than  they  were  to  the  service  of 
God,  and  yet  they  did  not  see  their  way  out  of  the  Church 
of  Rome,  but  retained  their  connection  with  it. 

They  doubtless  lived  up  to  the  light  they  had,  and  were 
eminently  useful  in  their  day.     If  they  had  seen  further, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  239 

and  gone  to  the  length  that  George  Fox  did  in  exposing 
superstition  and  corruption  in  the  Church,  they  would  in 
all  probability  have  been  put  to  death,  as  thousands  of 
other  devoted  Christians  have  been. 

Some  persons  suppose  that  all  the  faithful  disciples  of 
Christ  will  be  enlightened  in  proportion  to  their  obedience ; 
but  it  appears  that  Infinite  Wisdom  adapts  His  dispensa- 
tions and  imparts  His  gifts  according  to  the  condition  of 
His  people  and  the  services  required  of  them.  There  is  a 
superintending  Providence  that  controls  the  order  of 
events,  not  impairing  the  free  agency  of  man,  and  there  is 
given  to  every  devoted  soul  a  measure  of  grace  sufficient 
to  save  it  and  to  make  it  instrumental  in  promoting  the 
salvation  of  others. 

Fifth-day,  14th. — Meetings  for  Divine  worship  were 
held.  I  attended  at  Race  Street,  where  the  audience  was 
very  large.  Several  communications  in  the  line  of  the 
ministry  were  made, — most  of  them  lively.  I  thought  I 
was  favored  with  authority  to  preach  the  Gospel.  The 
language  of  the  Prophet  Daniel  was  brought  to  view : 
"  The  Most  High  ruleth  in  the  kingdom  of  men,  and 
giveth  it  to  whomsoever  He  will,  and  setteth  up  over  it  the 
basest  of  men." 

The  overruling  providence  of  God  in  the  affairs  of  men, 
and  the  guidance  of  His  grace  in  the  progress  of  the  soul 
towards  the  spiritual  kingdom  were  the  chief  subjects  dwelt 
upon.  The  calling  of  Abraham,  the  preservation  and 
fidelity  of  Joseph,  the  deliverance  of  the  Israelites  from 
the  house  of  bondage,  the  giving  of  the  Law,  and  the 
establishment  of  that  people  in  the  Land  of  Canaan,  were 
cited  as  instances  of  Providential  interposition,  wherein 
the  free  agency  of  man  was  in  no  case  violated,  but  all 
things  were  made  to  work  together  for  good  to  those  who 


240  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

loved  God.  The  coming  of  the  Son  of  God,  the  effect  of 
his  ministry,  his  miracles  and  his  sufferings,  were  dwelt 
upon  as  evidences  of  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  God,  who 
so  loved  the  world  that  He  gave  His  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believeth  on  him  should  not  perish,  but  should 
have  everlasting  life.  The  effect  of  his  sufferings,  death 
and  resurrection  was  to  bear  witness  to  the  truth, — to 
reconcile  men  to  God  and  to  establish  the  Gospel  dispen- 
sation. It  is  His  life,  His  spirit  and  power,  that  saves  the 
soul  by  an  inward  change  wrought  in  the  character  of 
those  who  submit  to  His  government. 

Fifth-day,  afternoon. — The  meeting  for  discipline  was 
held,  and  again  continued  on  Sixth-day  till  about  two 
o'clock  p.  m.,  when  it  closed  in  a  season  of  sweet  solem- 
nity and  under  a  feeling  of  thankfulness  for  the  evidences 
of  Divine  favor  we  had  been  permitted  to  enjoy. 

There  was  held  at  Race  Street  Meeting  House,  on  Fifth- 
day  evening,  a  conference  of  Friends'  First-day  School 
Association,  at  which  delegates  were  present  from  Phila- 
delphia, Baltimore,  Indiana  and  New  York.  The  exercises 
were  very  interesting  and  the  reports  encouraging. 

On  Seventh-day,  the  16th,  we  had  an  appointed  meeting 
for  worship  at  Norristown. 

On  First-day,  attended  in  the  morning  at  the  Valley 
Meeting  House,  and  in  the  afternoon  the  Circular  Meeting 
at  Radnor.  The  two  latter  were  particularly  favored  with 
solemnity  and  power. 

On  Second-day  evening  we  reached  Bristol,  and  held  an 
appointed  meeting.  I  thought  I  was  favored  to  preach 
the  Word  of  Life. 

We  then  proceeded  to  attend  the  following  meetings, 
viz.  :  Falls,  Middletown,  Wrightstown,  Newtown,  Make- 
field,  and  Trenton,  N.  J.  # 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  241 

They  were  all  good  meetings;  but  at  Newtown  and 
Trenton  especially  I  thought  the  stream  of  Gospel  ministry 
flowed  most  freely,  and  tenderness  of  feeling  was  mani- 
fested by  many.  May  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  bless  the 
work. 

Fifth  month,  22nd. — Arrived  in  New  York. 

23rd. — Attended  the  sittings  of  the  Meetings  of  Ministers 
and  Elders.     They  were  seasons  of  lively  religious  exercise. 

24th. — In  the  morning,  at  Fifteenth  Street,  the  congre- 
gation was  large,  and  several  other  ministers  present.  I 
found  it  my  duty  to  declare  the  Word  of  Truth,  as  I 
thought,  with  acceptance  to  the  people. 

In  the  afternoon  attended  the  meeting  at  Brooklyn, 
which  was  large  and  ended  well. 

25th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  was  opened,  the  reports  from 
the  Quarterly  Meetings,  read  as  usual,  and  some  of  the  epis- 
tles from  other  Yearly  Meetings ;  the  others  postponed  to 
a  future  sitting. 

In  the  evening  attended  a  conference  of  the  First-day 
school  teachers  and  of  others  who  felt  an  interest  in  this 
important  concern.  The  right  training  of  the  youth  and 
their  religious  instruction  in  the  great  truths  recorded  in 
the  Scriptures,  were  the  subjects  that  engaged  our  attention, 
and  I  found  it  my  duty  to  offer  a  word  of  encouragement 
to  those  engaged  in  this  work. 

26th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  was  occupied  in  considering 
the  answers  to  the  Queries  and  the  condition  of  the  Society. 
Many  lively  testimonies  were  delivered.  The  exhortations 
of  George  Truman  were  particularly  good,  and  the  meeting 
was  considered  very  instructive. 

In  the  evening  we  met  the  Freedmen's  Aid  Association, 
where»interesting  and  encouraging  reports  from  the  colored 
schools  supported  by  Friends  in  the  Southern  States  were 

16 


242  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

read.  Being  called  upon  to  express  my  views  on  the  sub- 
ject, I  did  so  at  some  length,  giving  an  account  of  our 
schools  in  Virginia,  and  showing  the  necessity  of  contin- 
ued labor  in  this  field  for  some  time  to  come. 

27th. — Meetings  for  worship  were  held  in  the  several 
meeting  houses.  I  attended  at  Twenty-seventh  Street, 
which  was  lively  and  instructive. 

In  the  afternoon  we  visited  the  Women's  meeting. 
George  Truman  was  with  us,  both  of  us  having  obtained 
permission  the  day  before.  He  spoke  very  feelingly,  and 
at  considerable  length.  I  followed  him,  in  a  discourse  on 
the  origin  of  Women's  meetings  for  discipline,  instituted 
by  George  Fox  about  two  hundred  years  ago.  The  ten- 
dency of  these  meetings  to  educate  the  female  mind  in 
the  qualities  of  self-reliance,  reflection  and  religious  effort, 
was  brought  into  view,  and  the  responsibility  that  rests 
upon  that  portion  of  our  Society,  as  mothers,  wives  and 
sisters  was  set  forth. 

In  the  evening  we  were  at  a  meeting  to  promote  the  in- 
terests of  Swarthmore  College,  which  was  well  attended 
and  lively. 

28th. — Two  sittings  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  were  held,  in 
which  much  interesting  and  instructive  counsel  was  handed 
forth  by  many. 

In  the  evening  a  conference  on  First-day  schools  was 
held,  which  was  encouraging. 

29th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  closed  under  a  feeling  of 
precious  solemnity,  the  wing  of  Divine  goodness  being 
extended  over  us,  and  it  was  thought  to  be  the  most  inter- 
esting and  encouraging  one  held  here  for  many  years. 
The  subject  of  education  was  much  discussed,  and  felt  to 
be  highly  important. 

30th. — Held  an  appointed  meeting  at  Flushing,  Long 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  243 

Island.  It  was  small,  but  satisfactory.  Our  friend,  Thomas 
Foulke,  was  with  us. 

31st. — At  Matinicock  I  was  enabled  to  speak  on  the 
calling  and  mission  of  the  Apostle  Paul,  showing  that  by 
becoming  obedient  as  he  was  to  the  revelations  of  Divine 
grace,  and  not  consulting  with  flesh  and  blood,  we  may  all 
become,  not  only  "  almost  Christians,"  but  altogether 
"devoted  to  the  Lord's  service." 

In  the  afternoon,  we  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Jeri- 
cho, which  was  rather  small,  and  I  felt  but  little  power  to 
preach  the  Gospel. 

Sixth  month,  2nd. — Attended  meetings  at  Bethpage 
and  Jerusalem.  The  former  small,  the  latter  better  at- 
tended and  more  lively.  Subject  of  discourse,  The  Mis- 
sion of  Christ. 

3rd. — Was  at  the  regular  meeting  at  Westbury,  and  in 
the  afternoon  went  to  the  house  of  Edmund  Willets,  at 
Manhasset,  where  we  met  a  company  of  Friends  who  came 
to  see  us.  They  were  members  of  an  association  that  sup- 
ports a  colored  school  at  Lincoln,  Virginia,  and  wished 
information  in  relation  to  the  condition  and  prospects  of 
the  colored  people  in  our  state.  We  had  a  very  pleasant 
interview  with  them. 

4th. — Attended  the  regular  meeting  at  Manhasset.  I 
thought  it  was  favored  with  the  evidence  of  Divine  life. 
In  the  evening,  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Brooklyn. 

5th. — Attended  a  meeting  in  the  City  of  New  York, 
appointed  for  me,  at  Friends'  Meeting-house,  Fifteenth 
Street.  In  the  early  part  I  felt  depressed  and  discouraged, 
but  was,  through  Divine  aid,  enabled  to  open  and  declare 
some  of  the  most  important  doctrines  of  Christianity  re- 
aring to  the  coming  of  Christ  in  the  flesh,  the  nature  of 
his  spiritual  kingdom,  the  effect  of  his  sufferings  and  resur- 


244  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

rection,  the  spreading  of  the  Gospel,  the  Apostasy,  the 
Protestant  Reformation,  and  the  rise  of  the  Society  of 
Friends. 

It  was  considered  by  my  companion  and  some  others, 
a  highly  favored  meeting,  but  I  felt  humbled  with  the  thought 
that  I  had  not  done  justice  to  the  important  subjects  em- 
braced in  my  discourse. 

7th. — Went  from  New  York  to  Poughkeepsie  in  a  steam- 
boat. The  beautiful  scenery  on  the  Hudson  and  the 
agreeable  company  we  had,  rendered  the  trip  truly  de- 
lightful. 

8th. — Attended  meeting  in  the  morning  at  Pough- 
keepsie, and  in  the  afternoon  at  Pleasant  Valley.  In  both 
places  ability  was  given  me  to  declare  the  Word  of  Life. 

9th. — Held  an  appointed  meeting  at  Ghent.  It  was 
solemn  and  impressive,  the  Word  of  Consolation  being 
preached  to  the  sorrowing  and  afflicted.  After  visiting 
the  meetings  at  Chatham  and  Albany,  we  went,  by  rail,  to 
Niagara  Falls,  and  spent  a  day  there  very  pleasantly  in 
viewing  the  wonderful  cataract  and  other  grand  and  beau- 
tiful scenery. 

12th. — We  proceeded  on  our  way,  by  rail,  to  Lewis- 
ton,  and  thence,  by  steamboat,  to  Toronto,  C.  W., 
where  we  took  the  cars  for  Duffin's  Creek  Station.  At 
Sherman  Brown's  we  have  found  a  very  pleasant  home. 
There  are  about  forty-seven  Friends,  besides  their  own 
family,  lodging  in  this  house,  and  very  hospitably  enter- 
tained. 

Margaret  Brown  (widow  of  Nicholas  Brown),  is  now  in 
her  eighty-sixth  year.  Her  mental  faculties  are  much 
weakened,  and  her  memory  impaired  by  age,  but  she  is 
very  cheerful  and  happy,  the  sweet  sense  of  Divine  life 
and  love  being  still  fresh,  showing  that  the  decay  of  the 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  245 

corporeal  nature  does  not  affect  the  immortal  part.  She 
appears  in  the  ministry  in  brief  and  lively  communications, 
having  the  unction  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Sixth  month,  13th. — We  attended  the  meeting  of  min- 
isters and  elders,  which  was  satisfactory. 

14th. — The  meeting  in  the  forenoon  was  much  crowded, 
but  very  orderly  and  solemn.  I  was  favored  with  ability 
to  open  with  clearness  the  subject  of  Christ's  mission  and 
the  nature  of  his  spiritual  kingdom.  In  the  afternoon 
there  were  many  communications,  most  of  them  brief  and 
lively. 

Second  and  Third-days  were  occupied  with  the  business 
of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  one  sitting  only  each  day. 

Fourth-day  a  meeting  for  Divine  worship  was  held,  which 
was  satisfactory,  and  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day, 
Thomas  Foulke  and  I  held  one  at  Whitby,  where  we  were 
enabled,  through  the  condescending  goodness  of  God,  to 
preach  the  Gospel  of  Life  and  salvation  through  Christ. 

Sixth  month,  18th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  concluded. 
It  was  considered  highly  satisfactory,  being  favored  with 
the  evidence  of  Divine  Life  through  which  the  business 
was  transacted  in  harmony  and  love.  My  dear  brother 
Asa,  proceeded  homeward  immediately  after  the  close  of 
the  meeting,  having  remained  with  me  as  long  as  he  ex- 
pected when  he  left  home.  His  company  has  been  truly 
grateful  and  encouraging. 

The  same  day  I  proceeded,  in  company  with  John  Hill- 
born  and  wife,  to  their  residence,  at  Uxbridge,  and  on  the 
morrow  attended  an  appointed  meeting  there,  and  the 
next  day  one  at  Whitchurch. 

2 1  st. — We  were  at  King  in  the  morning,  and  at  Yonge 
Street  in  the  evening.  They  were  both  good  meetings, 
but  the   latter   more   particularly  favored.      The  subject 


246  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

expounded  was  the  first  calling  of  the  Gentiles  through 
the  ministry  of  Peter,  the  conversion  of  Cornelius,  the 
doctrine  then  preached,  and  the  terms  of  salvation  through 
Christ.     A  number  of  Orthodox  Friends  were  present. 

22nd. — My  friend,  Nathan  Dennis,  accompanied  me  as 
companion,  and  we  proceeded,  by  rail,  to  Lobo,  where 
we  held  an  appointed  meeting,  thence  to  Yarmouth.  I 
was  there  favored  to  preach  the  doctrine  of  regeneration 
with  life  and  power,  for  which  I  feel  thankful  to  the  Author 
of  all  our  blessings. 

25th. — Attended  an  appointed  meeting  at  Malehide. 
It  was  small,  and '  to  me  proved  laborious.  I  have  felt 
humbled  under  the  consciousness  of  poverty  and  weak- 
ness, and  trust  the  Lord  will  be  near  to  guide  and  keep 
me  in  this  very  responsible  service. 

26th. — Held  an  appointed  meeting  at  Norwich ;  then 
travelled  one  hundred  and  fifteen  miles  to  Pelham.  It  was 
formerly  a  large  meeting,  but  the  number  of  members  is 
now  much  reduced.  There  was  a  full  attendance  of 
Friends  and  others,  and  the  stream  of  Gospel  ministry 
flowed  freely,  for  which  I  felt  thankful  to  the  Author  of 
all  Good. 

28th. — Traveled  fifteen  miles  to  Black  Creek,  where 
we  had  a  good  meeting,  and  the  same  day  went  to  Buffalo, 
and  held  one  in  a  large  hall.  Our  friend,  T.  Foulke, 
joined  in  the  appointment.  We  both  had  satisfactory 
service  in  the  ministry.  He  afterwards  went  with  me  to 
see  the  Indians  on  the  Cattaraugus  Reservation.  We  went 
by  rail  to  Angola,  thence  in  a  buggy,  eight  miles,  to  the 
house  of  Ashur  Wright.  He  and  his  wife  treated  us  very 
hospitably,  and  we  found  them  intelligent  and  agreeable. 
We  visited  two  Indian  families,  but  found  only  the  women 
and  children  at  home,  the  husbands  being  in  the  fields  at 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  247 

work.  Many  of  them  have  farms  pretty  well  cultivated 
comfortable  houses,  and  other  evidences  of  civilization. 
We  saw  three  schools.  One  of  them  was  taught  by  an 
Indian  girl  named  Harriet  Two-Guns;  another,  more 
advanced,  by  an  interesting  white  woman  named  Clark. 
The  Orphan  Asylum  interested  us  very  much.  It  is  a  well- 
arranged  and  well-kept  institution,  in  which  a  hundred 
orphans  and  destitute  Indian  children  are  boarded,  clothed 
and  educated  at  an  expense  of  about  one  hundred  dollars 
each.  We  witnessed  some  of  the  exercises  in  the  school, 
which  were  very  interesting.  The  institution  is  now  in 
want  of  funds,  the  Legislature  of  New  York  having  this 
year  appropriated  only  fifty  dollars  for  each  scholar,  but  the 
state  has  extended  its  public  school  system  over  the  reserva- 
tion, and  a  number  of  schools  are  provided  for  the  Indian 
population.  This  state  has,  I  believe,  acted  with  more 
liberality  to  the  Indians  than  any  other. 

Sixth  month,  30th. — We  attended  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing held  at  East  Hamburg,  and  after  visiting  a  number 
of  meetings  in  western  New  York  (in  some  of  which  my 
friend,  John  J.  Cornell,  labored  with  me),  we  came  to  Ma- 
cedon,  where  I  found  openness  for  religious  service.  I 
began  by  quoting  the  text,  "  We  look  for  a  better  country 
that  is  an  Heavenly."  Although  we  have  cause  to  be 
thankful  for  the  temporal  blessings  we  enjoy  here,  in  a 
world  admirably  adapted  to  supply  our  natural  wants  and 
to  develop  our  intellectual  faculties,  we  must  remember  this 
is  not  our  permanent  home,  but  only  our  temporary  abode 
in  this  state  of  probation. 

The  beneficent  Author  of  our  being,  who  has  so  well 
provided  for  the  sustenance  of  our  bodies,  requires,  on 
our  part,  labor  to  appropriate  and  enjoy  His  gifts ;  and  so 
in  the  spiritual  relation  He  has  provided  for  the  sustenance 


248  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

of  our  souls  by  the  Word  of  Life,  or  Seed  of  the  King- 
dom sown  in  the  heart,  which  is  His  best  of  gifts,  but  its 
growth  depends  upon  our  watchfulness,  obedience  and  reli- 
ance upon  Him.  We  must  ask  if  we  would  receive ;  we 
must  knock  to  have  the  Heavenly  treasury  opened  to  us ; 
we  must  labor,  not  for  the  bread  which  perisheth,  but  for 
that  which  endureth  unto  everlasting  life. 

8th. — Attended  the  stated  meeting  at  South  Farming- 
ton.  It  is  usually  very  small,  but  notice  being  given, 
many  attended  not  in  membership  with  us,  and  I  found 
considerable  openness  for  religious  communication,  which 
afforded  the  reward  of  peace. 

9th. — Attended  the  usual  meeting  at  Farmington,  in 
the  house  where  the  Yearly  Meeting  is  held  every  other 
year.  The  house  is  very  large,  and  the  small  congrega- 
tion being  scattered  over  it,  had  rather  a  discouraging 
effect  upon  my  mind.  After  a  long  interval  of  silence,  I 
felt  called  to  deliver  a  brief  communication,  which  I  be- 
lieve was  acceptable  and,  I  trust,  helpful  to  some. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  I  went  to  Canandaigua 
and  took  the  cars  to  Elmira,  where  I  had  a  few  hours'  rest, 
and  on  the  following  afternoon  arrived  in  Baltimore. 
Leaving  that  city  next  morning,  I  reached  home  on  the 
nth  of  Seventh  month,  and  had  the  satisfaction  to  find 
my  wife  and  children  well. 

In  this  journey  I  have  been  absent  from  home  seventy- 
two  days,  have  travelled  two  thousand  one  hundred  miles, 
and  attended  eighty-four  meetings,  of  which  fifty-eight 
were  for  Divine  worship  and  twenty-six  for  discipline.  A 
large  proportion  have  been  attended  with  the  evidence  of 
Divine  Life,  some  of  them  eminently  favored,  and  I  feel 
that  I  have  great  cause  to  be  thankful  to  the  Good  Shep- 
herd, who.  "putteth  forth  His  own  sheep  and  goeth  before 
them." 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  249 

In  many  places  I  fear  luke-warmness  prevails,  and 
that  some  meetings  are  on  the  decline,  but  there  are  others 
where  there  has  been  some  revival  of  interest,  and  an  in- 
creased attendance  within  a  few  years  past.  May  the 
Author  of  all  Good  cause  His  blessing  to  attend  the  work 
and  call  many  more  to  partake  of  his  bountiful  table. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

1869. 

Reflections  upon  his  sixty-ninth  birth-day — Meets  the  Committee  on 
Indian  Concerns,  in  Baltimore— A  proposition  before  them  from 
General  Grant,  that  they  should  take  charge  of  some  of  the  West- 
ern Indians — They  accept  the  charge — Part  of  the  Indian  commit- 
tee wait  on  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  and  Commissioner  of  In- 
dian Affairs — Meets  the  Indian  committee  in  Baltimore,  where  his 
name  is  proposed  for  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs — Accepts  the 
appointment — Makes  preparations  for  a  long  absence  from  home. 

1869,  First  month,  18th. — It  is  just  one  week  since  I 
entered  my  sixty-ninth  year.  The  ebbing  tide  of  life 
admonishes  me  that  I  am  drawing  near  to  the  shore  of 
eternity,  and  I  earnestly  pray  that  the  Almighty  arm, 
which  has  hitherto  been  my  support  and  has  helped  me  in 
many  a  trying  hour,  may  still  be  with  me  to  the  end.  I 
acknowledge,  Oh,  Heavenly  Father  !  that  I  am  unworthy 
of  Thy  many  favors.  I  have  been  a  transgressor  of  Thy 
law  written  in  my  heart;  and  although  I  have,  through 
Thy  mercy  for  many  years  past,  endeavored  to  walk  before 
Thee  in  humility  and  obedience,  yet  I  feel  that  I  am  very 
deficient  in  watchfulness,  in  fervency  of  spirit,  and  in  de- 
votion of  heart.     Be  pleased,  therefore,  Oh,  Most  High  ! 


250  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

to  draw  me  nearer  to  Thyself,  and  through  Thy  grace  to 
bring  me  more  into  conformity  with  Thy  beloved  Son, 
Jesus  Christ,  "the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life."  May  I 
be  more  fully  ingrafted  into  him,  the  true  vine,  and  par- 
take of  that  nourishment  which  is  supplied  through  him  to 
all  the  living  branches.  I  believe  Thou  hast  called  me  to 
labor  in  Thy  Church,  and  I  thank  Thee  that  Thou  hast  in 
many  precious  seasons  been  with  me,  to  enlighten  my 
mind  and  warm  my  heart  with  Thy  love.  May  I  never 
presume  to  take  credit  to  myself  for  Thy  gifts,  or  seek  to 
adorn  myself  with  Thy  jewels.  If  any  good  shall  accrue 
from  my  labors,  to  Thee  alone  be  the  praise. 

1869,  Third  month,  15th. — On  the  13th  inst.  I  returned 
from  Baltimore,  whither  I  had  gone  to  meet  the  Commit- 
tee on  Indian  Concerns  of  our  Yearly  Meeting.  Several 
Friends  from  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Ohio,  delegated 
by  the  representative  committees  of  those  Yearly  Meetings, 
were  also  in  attendance. 

We  met  on  the  6th  inst.  to  consider  a  proposition  sent 
us  by  President  Grant,  before  his  inauguration,  in  relation 
to  the  Western  Indians.  It  was  conveyed  by  a  letter  from 
E.  S.  Parker  (an  Indian),  who  was  one  of  General  Grant's 
staff,  viz.  : 

"  General  Grant,  the  President-elect,  desirous  of  inaugu- 
rating some  policy  to  protect  the  Indians  in  their  just  rights, 
and  enforce  integrity  in  the  administration  of  their  affairs, 
as  well  as  to  improve  their  general  condition,  and  appre- 
ciating fully  the  friendship  and  interest  which  your  Society 
has  ever  maintained  in  their  behalf,  directs  me  to  request 
that  you  will  send  to  him  a  list  of  names,  members  of  your 
Society,  whom  your  Society  will  endorse  as  suitable  per- 
sons for  Indian  agents." 

This  letter,  addressed  to  the  secretary  of  our  committee, 
Benjamin  Haliowell,  was  read  and  considered. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  251 

It  was  unanimously  concluded,  that  there  is  in  the  duties 
of  an  Indian  agent  nothing  incompatible  with  the  princi- 
ples of  Friends,  and  our  secretary  was  directed  to  issue  a 
circular  letter  to  the  clerks  of  the  representative  commit- 
tees of  the  five  Yearly  Meetings  in  correspondence  with 
us,  and  also  to  each  member  of  our  representative  com- 
mittee, giving  to  Friends  the  necessary  information,  and 
suggesting  that  the  names  of  suitable  Friends  who  may 
offer  their  services  should  be  forwarded  to  our  committee, 
which  is  to  meet  on  the  16th  of  next  month.  The  repre- 
sentative committee  of  our  Yearly  Meeting  is  also  to  meet 
the  17th  of  next  month,  and  the  names  offered  within  our 
Yearly  Meeting  are  to  be  submitted  for  its  approval. 

Being  in  Baltimore  at  the  time  of  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, I  was  at  its  sittings  and  the  meetings  for  worship, 
which  were  well  attended  and  satisfactory.  My  dear 
friend,  William  Dorsey,  from  Philadelphia,  was  there,  and 
we  took  sweet  counsel  together,  being  closely  united  in 
Christian  fellowship. 

On  Sixth-day,  the  12th  inst.,  I  met  some  members  of 
our  Committee  on  Indian  Concerns,  in  Washington,  and 
waited  upon  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  and  the  Com- 
missioner of  Indian  Affairs.  We  also  called  on  E.  S. 
Parker,  and  informed  him  of  our  action  on  his  letter,  which 
he  promised  to  communicate  to  the  President  without  delay. 
I  trust  the  way  is  about  to  open  for  us  to  take  some  steps 
in  the  great  work  of  civilizing  the  Western  Indians,  and 
I  earnestly  pray  that  we  may  be  instrumental  in  the  Divine 
hand  to  bring  them  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation. 

On  the  17th  of  the  Fourth  month,  1869,  a  convention 
of  Friends,  composed  of  the  Committee  on  Indian  Con- 
cerns and  of  the  representative  committee  of  Baltimore 


252  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Yearly  Meeting,  and  delegates  from  the  representative 
committees  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  convened  in 
Baltimore.  The  chief  business  of  the  convention  was  to 
determine  who  should  be  recommended  by  the  Society  as 
superintendent  and  agents  of  the  government  in  the  In- 
dian service,  in  accordance  with  the  invitation  of  Presi- 
dent Grant.  My  dear  brother,  Asa,  who  was  in  attend- 
ance, had  some  weeks  before  felt  constrained,  by  a  sense 
of  duty,  to  offer  his  services,  as  Indian  agent.  It  was  a 
great  trial  to  himself  and  family,  and  a  source  of  regret 
to  his  neighbors,  that  he  should  make  this  great  sacrifice, 
for  there  is  no  one  within  my  knowledge  more  generally 
beloved. 

Before  the  convention  met,  I  was  called  on  by  Benja- 
min Hallowell  and  Samuel  Townsend  to  express  their  own 
desire  and  that  of  other  Friends,  for  me  to  accept  the  sta- 
tion of  Superintendent.  I  was  much  surprised,  and  en- 
deavored to  excuse  myself  on  the  ground  that  I  had  been 
called  to  the  Gospel  ministry,  and  it  required  great  care 
and  a  clear  sense  of  duty  to  leave  my  present  field  of  labor. 

The  Friends  urged  with  earnestness  the  importance  of 
the  mission  to  which  we  are  called  in  the  Indian  country, 
and  said  they  knew  of  no  other  Friend  than  myself  on 
whom  they  could  all  agree.  They  desired  me  to  take  the 
matter  into  consideration,  which  I  agreed  to  do. 

I  spent  almost  a  sleepless  night  under  deep  exercise  of 
mind,  and  finally  came  to  the  conclusion  that  I  would  sub- 
mit to  the  judgment  of  friends,  provided  my  wife  would 
give  her  consent.  I  have  always  thought  that  members 
of  the  Church  of  Christ,  when  called  by  the  body  with 
unanimity  into  any  service,  should  be  willing  to  make 
any  sacrifice  that  may  be  required,  if  they  find  the  Spirit 
of  Truth  in  their  own  hearts  concurring. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  253 

Believing,  in  this  case,  that  it  was  my  duty  to  accept 
the  appointment  (though  sorely  against  my  inclination),  I 
requested  my  brother  to  return,  without  delay,  to  Virginia, 
and  ask  the  consent  of  my  wife.  He  very  kindly  and 
promptly  performed  the  service,  and  brought  word  that  she 
was  resigned  to  the  unexpected  sacrifice  required  of  her. 
I  consented  to  my  name  being  brought  forward  as  Super- 
intendent, and  there  was  a  unanimous  expression  of  satis- 
faction on  the  part  of  Friends  present. 

My  brother  Asa  was  nominated  also  with  unanimity  as 
one  of  the  agents,  and  other  Friends  from  our  Yearly  Meet- 
ing and  that  of  Philadelphia  were  also  nominated.  Some 
days  after  the  convention,  I  went  to  Washington  with  the 
Friends  who  were  appointed  a  committee  to  wait  on  the 
President  of  the  United  States  and  the  Secretary  of  the 
Interior  and  present  to  them  the  names  of  the  persons 
selected.* 

During  the  interval  of  about  a  month  from  the  time  my 
name  was  presented  to  the  President  until  I  started  to  the 
scene  of  my  future  labors,  my  time  was  closely  occupied 
in  arranging  my  affairs  for  a  long  absence  from  home. 


*  An  account  of  the  interview  is  found  in  Benjamin  Hallowell's 
Memorandum  of  some  of  the  Proceedings  of  Friends  of  Baltimore 
Yearly  Meeting  in  Relation  to  Western  Indians,  printed  1869,  page  16. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 
1869-^71. 

Arrives  in  Omaha — Names  of  Agents — Meets  with  a  cordial  welcome 
— Holds  a  Public  Meeting — Visits  the  Winnebago  and  Omaha 
Agencies — The  hardships  the  Winnebagoes  had  met  with  from  the 
Government — Writes  a  petition  to  the  Government  for  the  reim- 
bursement of  a  large  sum  of  money — Congress  refunds  it — The  first 
Council — The  allotment  of  land  in  severalty  discussed  and  agreed 
to — Addresses  them  on  Religion  and  Morality — Goes  to  the  Omaha 
Agency,  where  the  same  subjects  are  discussed  in  Council  with  the 
Chiefs. 

I  regret  that  I  cannot  give  a  full  account  of  my  experi- 
ence as  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  Nebraska,  but 
my  time  was  so  much  occupied  with  the  duties  of  the 
office,  and  my  mind  often  so  much  exercised  and  burdened 
with  cares  that  I  kept  no  journal  and  made  few  memoran- 
dums. 

The  office  of  the  Superintendency  was  at  Omaha,  where 
I  arrived  on  the  26th  of  the  Fifth  month,  1869,  accompa- 
nied by  Thomas  J.  Saunders,  who  had  been  engaged  as  my 
chief  clerk. 

We  had  for  fellow  travelers  my  brother,  Asa  M.  Janney, 
Agent  of  the  Santee  Sioux,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and 
two  daughters,  Doctor  Edward  Painter,  Agent  of  the 
Omahas,  and  his  wife,  and  Albert  Green,  Agent  of  the 
Otoes.  The  other  Agents,  Jacob  M.  Troth,  Agent  of  the 
Pawnees,  Howard  White,  of  the  Winnebagoes,  and  Thomas 
Lightfoot,  of  the  Iowas,  Sacs  and  Foxes,  arrived  at  their 
several  posts  in  a  short  time  after  we  reached  Omaha. 

(254) 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  255 

I  left  my  family  at  home,  they  intending  to  follow  as 
soon  as  I  could  make  arrangements  for  their  accommoda- 
tion. 

We  found  in  the  City  of  Omaha  a  cordial  welcome,  and 
were  assured  that  the  sympathy  of  the  most  influential  citi- 
zens would  be  with  us,  wishing  us  success  in  our  arduous 
undertaking. 

It  was  said  that  when  the  announcement  was  first  made 
of  President  Grant's  design  to  employ  Friends  as  Superin- 
tendents and  Agents,  much  indignation  was  expressed  by 
a  few  persons  interested  in  the  furnishing  of  Indian  sup- 
plies. This  feeling,  however,  was  not  expressed  to  us,  and 
I  suppose  had  subsided. 

Having  permission  from  our  Monthly  Meeting  to  ap- 
point meetings  for  Divine  worship,  I  held  one  in  a  public 
hall  soon  after  my  arrival,  two  of  our  Agents  being  present, 
whose  sympathy  was  grateful.  It  was  attended  by  between  one 
and  two  hundred  persons,  and,  towards  the  close,  was  solemn 
and  impressive.  There  being  in  the  city  some  persons 
formerly  connected  with  our  religious  Society,  or  educated 
among  Friends,  I  invited  such  to  stop  at  the  rise  of  the 
meeting,  and  likewise  others  who  inclined  to  do  so. 

A  dozen  or  more  accepted  the  invitation,  and  we  had  a 
pleasant  conference. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  Sixth  month,  accompanied  by 
the  late  Superintendent,  H.  B.  Denham,  I  visited  the  Win- 
nebago and  Omaha  Agencies.  I  found  the  moral  and 
physical  condition  of  the  Winnebagoes  far  from  satisfac- 
tory. Diseases  of  a  scrofulous  nature  were  prevalent 
among  them,  arising  probably  from  their  uncleanly  mode 
of  living  in  ill-ventilated  lodges.  Some  of  them  indulged, 
when  opportunity  offered,  in  intemperate  drinking;  gamb- 
ling was  frequent,  and  other  vices  prevailed  to  some  extent. 


256  Memoirs  of  Samuel  Af.  Janney. 

The  disastrous  circumstances  in  which  these  Indians  were 
placed  for  some  years  after  their  removal  from  Minnesota, 
made  it  necessary  for  the  Government  to  supply  them  with 
subsistence,  and  at  the  time  of  my  first  visit  five  thousand 
pounds  each  of  beef  and  flour  were  issued  to  them  every 
week.  They  numbered  at  that  time  one  thousand  three 
hundred  and  forty-three  souls,  having  been  rapidly  decreas- 
ing for  several  years.  They  have  abandoned  the  buffalo 
hunt,  and  have  in  the  United  States  Treasury  a  large  fund, 
the  interest  of  which  is  paid  them  in  food,  clothing  and 
money. 

The  Indians  of  the  Winnebago  tribe  had  great  cause  to 
complain  of  the  treatment  they  had  received.  In  the  year 
1833  they  were  located  in  Wisconsin,  where  they  had  lived 
for  some  generations,  but  their  lands  being  coveted  by 
white  settlers,  they  were  forced  to  remove  to  Turkey  Creek, 
about  fifty  miles  west  of  Prairie  du  Chien.  Some  time 
subsequently,  the  same  cause  operating,  they  were  removed 
to  Minnesota,  and  afterwards  a  third  removal  was  forced 
upon  them  to  another  part  of  the  same  State.  There  they 
remained  until  1863,  on  a  beautiful  and  fertile  reservation, 
occupying  good  farms  and  houses.  They  were  the  firm 
friends  of  the  Whites,  and  when  the  Sioux  rose  suddenly 
and  massacred  a  large  number  of  the  citizens  of  Minnesota, 
spreading  terror  throughout  the  State,  the  Winnebagoes 
remained  quiet  and  peaceable,  as  they  had  always  been. 

Notwithstanding  their  friendly  and  peaceable  conduct, 
their  removal  from  the  State  was  demanded,  and,  with 
only  a  few  days'  notice,  they  were  required  to  quit  their 
homes,  leaving  behind  them  most  of  their  stock,  their  im- 
plements of  agriculture  and  their  growing  crops.  They 
were  put  on  board  steamboats  crowded  to  excess  and  short 
of  provisions.     Thus  they  were  transported  to  Crow  Creek, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  257 

a  station  in  the  Territory  of  Dakota.  It  is  described  in 
one  of  the  official  reports  as  "  A  sandy  beach,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Missouri  River,  in  a  country  remarkable  only 
for  the  rigors  of  its  winter  climate  and  the  sterility  of  its 
soil."  After  enduring  sufferings  too  terrible  to  relate,  and 
the  loss  of  several  hundreds  of  their  tribe  by  starvation  and 
freezing,  they  abandoned  the  inhospitable  station  to  which 
they  had  been  exiled,  and  passing  down  the  river  in  canoes, 
landed  near  their  present  place  of  residence  in  Nebraska. 

Impoverished  and  disheartened  by  their  inhuman  treat- 
ment, they  were  for  some  time  longer  subjected  to  severe 
privations,  until  at  length  the  Omaha  Indians  consented 
to  sell  them  a  part  of  their  ample  reservation,  where  they 
are  n^w  located.  Great  as  was  the  injury  inflicted  upon 
them  by  their  removal,  it  was  still  further  aggravated  by 
charging  them  with  the  cost  of  their  transportation  and 
subsistence,  amounting  to  upwards  of  two  hundred  and 
thirty-two  thousand  dollars.  This  sum  was  taken,  out  of 
their  tribal  funds,  derived  chiefly  from  the  sale  of  their 
lands  in  Minnesota.  I  wrote  for  them  a  petition  to  the 
Government  for  its  reimbursement,  which  was  signed  by 
their  chiefs  and  forwarded  to  Washington. 

The  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  and  the  Secretary 
of  the  Interior  earnestly  advocated  their  request,  and  an 
Act  of  Congress  was  obtained  to  refund  the  amount  and 
invest  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  tribe. 

In  the  first  council  I  held  with  the  Winnebagoes,  the 
allotment  in  severalty  of  a  portion  of  their  lands  was  a 
subject  of  discussion.  This  important  measure  had  been 
provided  for  by  an  Act  of  Congress  passed  in  the  year 
1863,  but  had  been  delayed  by  the  refusal  of  the  Indians 
to  give  their  consent,  because  they  thought  that  eighty 
acres  to  each  head  of  a  family  would  not  be  adequate  to 

17 


258  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

1 
their  wants.     The  matter  being  fully  explained  to  them, 
and  earnestly  recommended,  they  freely  gave  their  consent, 
and  expressed  their  desire  that  it  should  "take  place  at  an 
early  day. 

The  survey  was  soon  after  commenced  and  the  allotment 
made. 

In  my  address  to  the  Winnebagoes  assembled  in  council, 
they  were  told  of  the  Great  Spirit  who  created  the  world 
and  of  His  Son  Jesus  Christ,  who  came  to  teach  the  way 
of  Truth.  They  were  exhorted  to  abstain  from  vicious 
habits  and  to  live  virtuously ;  to  obey  the  teacher  placed 
in  every  heart  by  the  Good  Spirit ;  to  treat  their  wives 
kindly,  and  not  lay  heavy  burdens  on  them ;  to  bring  up 
their  children  in  industry  and  to  send  them  to  school ; 
and  finally,  they  were  advised  to  prepare  themselves  and 
their  children  for  adopting  the  habits  of  the  white  man 
and  becoming  citizens. 

From  the  Winnebago  we  went  to  the  Omaha  Agency, 
a  distance  of  about  ten  miles  southward.  The  members 
of  this  tribe  are  more  provident  and  self-reliant  than  the 
Winnebagoes.  They  seldom  require  any  subsistence  to  be 
furnished  them  by  the  Government,  their  crops  of  corn 
and  vegetables  and  the  proceeds  of  their  buffalo  hunts 
being  sufficient,  with  the  addition  of  a  small  cash  annuity 
secured  to  them  by  treaty  stipulation. 

In  a  council  held  by  me,  in  conjunction  with  Agent 
Painter,  at  the  Omaha  Agency,  Sixth  month,  3rd,  1869, 
the  chiefs  and  head  men,  with  many  others  of  the  tribe, 
being  present,  I  addressed  them,  through  an  interpreter, 
nearly  as  follows : 

"Brothers:  Your  Great  Father,  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  having  commissioned  me  to  have  the  care 
of  my  red  brethren  in  the  State  of  Nebraska,  I  have  come 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  259 

to  see  you  and  to  say  that  I  wish  to  do  you  all  the  good  I 
can.  I  belong  to  the  Society  of  Friends,  or  Quakers,  who 
have  always  been  friends  of  the  Indians.  It  is  now  nearly 
two  hundred  years  since  our  fathers  met  in  council  with 
the  tribes  of  red  men  who  lived  on  the  banks  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna and  the  Delaware,  and  made  a  treaty  of  friend- 
ship which  has  never  been  broken.  I  suppose  some  of  you 
have  heard  of  William  Penn,  whom  the  Indians  of  that 
day  called  the  good  Onas.  I  am  one  of  the  children  de- 
scended from  a  friend  and  companion  of  that  great  and 
good  man,  and  I  bear  the  same  love  to  the  Indians  that  he 
did.  Our  people,  the  Friends,  or  Quakers,  have  always 
kept  up  a  friendly  intercourse  with  the  Indians,  and  we 
have  had  some  of  the  tribes  under  our  care.  Many  years 
ago  our  Society  sent  teachers,  farmers  and  mechanics  %to 
reside  among  the  Indians  on  the  waters  of  the  Scioto  arid 
Wabash,  and  when  the  Indians  were  removed  from  Ohio, 
some  of  the  Friends  followed  them  to  Kansas,  where  they 
are  still  doing  all  they  can  to  protect  and  improve  them. 

"  We  have  also  had  Friends  residing  among  the  Indians  in 
the  State  of  New  York,  and  have  frequently  visited  them. 
Last  summer  I  paid  a  visit  to  the  Senecas  on  their  reserva- 
tion at  Cattaraugus,  and  found  them  in  a  prosperous  con- 
dition. Many  of  them  had  good  houses  and  good  farms. 
They  had  schools  for  the  education  of  their  children,  and 
were  increasing  in  numbers. 

"  Brothers,  I  do  not  come  here  to  make  you  many  prom- 
ises ;  I  wish  to  make  few  promises  and  always  to  keep  them. 
I  know  that  in  times  past  you  have  often  been  wronged  by 
white  men,  but  I  feel  assured  that  your  Great  Father  at 
Washington  intends  to  protect  you  in  your  rights,  and  to 
do  you  all  the  good  in  his  power.  He  has  appointed  Gen- 
eral E.  S.  Parker,  an  Indian  chief  from  the  State  of  New 


260  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

York,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  and  he  has  sent 
your  friends  out  here  to  be  superintendents  and  agents. 

"One  of  the  most  important  subjects  for  you  to  con- 
sider is  the  allotment  of  your  lands,  provided  for  by  a 
treaty  you  made  with  the  Government  in  the  year  1865. 
In  that  treaty  it  is  stipulated  that  there  shall  be  assigned 
to  each  head  of  a  family  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land,  and  to  each  male  person  eighteen  years  of  age  and 
upwards,  without  a  family,  forty  acres  of  land,  to  include 
in  every  case,  as  far  as  practicable,  a  reasonable  propor- 
tion of  timber.  It  was  the  intention  of  the  government 
that  these  lands  should  be  conveyed  to  each  family  by 
patent  in  such  a  manner  that  they  could  not  be  taken  from 
you.  I  am  informed  that  you  have  objected  to  this  allot- 
ment, because  it  makes  no  allowance  for  your  young  chil- 
dren, and  for  this  reason  it  has  been  delayed.  Now  I  wish 
you  to  consider  that  such  a  division  of  a  part  of  your 
lands  will  not  impair  your  title  to  the  remainder  of  the 
reservation  ;  you  will  still  hold  it  as  you  do  now.  It  will, 
on  the  contrary,  help  to  secure  your  title  by  giving  you  a 
firmer  hold  upon  that  part  to  be  allotted  to  your  families. 
I  fear  the  time  will  come  when  white  men  will  covet  your 
beautiful  and  productive  reservation,  and  try  to  wrest  it 
from  you.  You  should  build  on  it,  fence  it  and  break  it 
up  this  summer,  so  that  it  may  be  ready  for  planting  next 
spring. 

Answer  of  Fire  Chief. — "  Grandfather*  :  When  we  made 
the  first  treaty  (that  of  1854),  all  of  the  tribe  were  present. 
They  all  agreed  to  the  terms  of  that  treaty,  and  joined 
in  a  great  war  whoop ;  but  as  we  cannot  go  by  the  old 
treaty,  we  will  accept  our  allotments  under  the  new  one." 


*  The  Indians  always  addressed  the  Superintendent  as  Grandfather, 
and  their  Agent  as  Father. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  261 

Yellow  Smoke  {Chief). — "Grandfather  and  Father:  It 
is  good  for  you  to  meet  with  us,  and  to  tell  us  about  this 
business.  We  would  be  glad  if  all  the  great  people  were 
here  to  listen  to  what  has  been  said.  We  are  very  glad 
that  our  Grandfather  and  Father  are  here.  We  know  that 
God  made  us  all.  I  am  glad  you  are  all  here  while  I  tell 
you  what  is  in  me.  In  regard  to  the  allotment,  it  is  right 
that  our  children  should  have  the  same  chance  as  ourselves. 
We  are  not  against  the  wishes  of  our  Grandfather  and  our 
Father,  but  we  want  you  to  understand  our  ways.  When 
any  one  has  property  he  stands  his  ground  and  does  the 
best  he  can.  We  want  to  do  so  too.  Grandfather,  I  am 
glad  to  hear  the  words  you  have  spoken ;  we  want  our 
children  to  have  land  as  well  as  money.  Our  Grandfather 
has  told  us  that  our  land  belonged  to  us.  We  remember 
this  a  long  time.  When  I  hear  this  I  am  glad,  and  speak 
as  loud  as  I  can.  We  hear  a  great  deal  about  you,  that 
you  are  good  people,  and  that  you  will  do  the  best  you  can 
for  us.  It  is  best  to  do  business  right  when  we  come  to 
talk  before  you.    We  want  to  make  all  things  satisfactory." 

Samuel  M.  Janney. — "  I  desire  to  say,  we  do  not  assure 
you  that  the  land  will  be  given  to  your  children  as  it  is 
now  given  to  you  under  the  treaty  of  1865,  but  I  say 
that  you  will  have  plenty  of  land  left  after  your  farms  are 
set  apart  to  you.  I  only  say,  we  will  do  the  best  we  can 
for  you." 

Standing  Hawk  {Chief). — "Grandfather  and  Father: 
We  agree  to  what  you  advise  us  to  do.  We  agree  to  take 
the  land  allotted  to  us  under  the  treaty  of  1865.  Grand- 
father and  Father,  when  we  first  heard  your  good  peo- 
ple were  coming  amongst  us,  we  were  glad,  and  we  are 
glad  to  see  you  here  to-day.  We  have  heard  so  much 
about  you  that  we  were  anxious  to  see  you,  and  are  very 


262  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney, 

glad  to  hear  what  you  have  said  to  us.  When  you  said 
the  ground  was  good,  we  knew  that  was  true.  We  raised 
more  than  we  could  use,  and  have  some  to  sell." 

E.  Painter  (Agent). — "  My  Friends  and  Red  Brethren  : 
It  makes  my  heart  glad  to  meet  my  brothers  of  the  Omaha 
tribe  in  council  to-day.  What  your  new  Grandfather  has 
said  to  you  is  true.  I  have  known  him  a  long  time. 
He  will  try  to  have  justice  done  to  you.  You  say  that 
you  are  agreed  to  have  your  lands  allotted  to  you  in  sever- 
alty according  to  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of  1865.  If 
this  is  done,  your  farms  will  have  to  be  laid  out  by  a  sur- 
veyor, and  corner-stones,  or  boundaries,  be  set,  so  that 
each  of  you  will  know  where  his  own  land  comes  to.  To 
do  this,  a  surveyor  will  have  to  be  employed,  and  this  sur- 
veyor must  be  paid.  You  have  a  large  fund  in  the  hands 
of  the  Government,  that  is  left  of  the  money  paid  by  the 
Winnebagoes  for  the  land  you  sold  them.  Are  you  will- 
ing to  have  the  money  taken  out  of  this  fund  to  pay  for 
surveying  your  farms?  We  think  it  will  cost  about  five 
hundred  dollars,  to  pay  the  surveyor." 

Louis  Sansoaci  (Interpreter). — "They  say  they  are  all 
agreed  to  have  the  surveyor  employed  and  paid  out  of 
the  fund,  as  you  advise." 

Here  a  petition  to  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs 
was  written,  asking  for  an  appropriation  of  five  hundred 
dollars  to  pay  for  surveying,  which  was  signed  by  the  nine 
chiefs  and  witnessed  by  the  Agent  and  United  States  In- 
terpreter. The  signing  by  the  Indians  was  done,  as  usual, 
by  touching  the  top  of  the  pen  while  a  cross  was  made 
and  the  name  of  the  signer  written  by  a  clerk. 

The  Indians  were  then  asked  by  the  Superintendent 
whether  they  wanted  any  more  schools.  They  had  for 
some  years  been  appropriating  out  of  their  tribal  funds 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  263 

three  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  annum 
to  support  a  mission  school  under  the  control  of  the  Pres- 
byterians, but  only  a  part  of  the  tribe  was  benefited  by  it, 
and  the  late  Superintendent  had  recommended  that  the 
contract  with  the  Board  of  Missions  should  be  annulled, 
and  the  same  sum  devoted  to  several  schools. 

The  Indians  were  now  informed  that  three  school  houses 
could  be  built  for  about  two  thousand  dollars,  and  the  bal- 
ance, one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  might 
be  used  to  employ  teachers  the  first  year.  After  the  first 
year,  it  was  supposed  that  three  thousand  dollars  a  year 
would  be  sufficient  to  support  three  schools. 

The  chiefs  took  the  proposition  into  consideration,  and 
•unitedly  agreed  to  petition  the  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs  to  annul  the  contract  with  the  Mission  Board,  and 
apply  the  funds  to  the  support  of  these  schools. 

Their  petition  was  granted  by  the  Commissioner,  and 
carried  into  effect ;  three  schools  were  supported  from  the 
tribal  fund,  one  of  them  was  kept  at  the  Mission  school- 
house  and  taught  by  a  member  of  the  Mission  family. 

In  addition  to  the  business  matters  discussed  with  the 
Omahas  in  this  council,  I  spoke  to  them  in  relation  to 
their  moral  improvement  and  religious  duties. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

1870. 

Some  account  of  the  Pawnee  Tribe — They  are  suspected  of  the  mur- 
der of  a  white  man — The  Superintendent  holds  a  council  with  the 
chiefs  on  the  subject — Four  Indians  are  delivered  up  and  taken  to 
Omaha — Their  trial —After  twenty-two  months'  imprisonment  they 
are  admitted  to  bail — The  chiefs  and  Superintendent  and  Agent 
become  responsible  for  them — Superintendent  visits  some  of  the 
Agencies  with  a  deputation  of  Friends  —  Congress  appropriates 
$30,000  for  Indian  civilization — Letter  to  a  convention  of  Friends 
held  in  Philadelphia  —  Letter  to  Benjamin  Hallowell  —  Letter  to 
Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 

The  largest  tribe  of  Indians  in  the  Northern  Superin- 
tendency  was  that  of  the  Pawnees,  numbering,  in  1869, 
about  two  thousand  four  hundred,  and  divided  into  four 
bands,  viz.:  Chow-ees,  Kit-ka-has,  Pe-ta-how-e-rat  and  Ske- 
dees. 

The  Skedees  were  formerly  an  independent  tribe,  but 
being  conquered  by  the  Pawnees,  were  incorporated  with 
them,  and  allowed  the  same  privileges  as  other  members 
of  the  tribe.  Their  language  was  somewhat  different,  but 
by  long  intercourse,  had  become  assimilated  to  the  Paw- 
nees. In  the  year  1830,  it  is  said,  they  numbered  twelve 
thousand,  and  at  that  time  they  made  a  treaty  with 
the  United  States  Government,  by  which  they  agreed  to 
remove  their  villages  to  the  north  side  of  the  Platte  River, 
leaving  the  south  side  clear,  and  ceding  the  right  of  way 
to  emigrants.  In  consideration  of  these  concessions  they 
were  to  receive  an  annuity  and  to  have  farmers,  smiths  and 
teachers  sent  to  instruct  them. 
(264) 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney,  265 

They  settled  at  Plum  Creek,  a  branch  of  the  Loup  Fork, 
and  efforts  were  made  to  teach  them  letters  and  farming 
until  1846,  when  all  the  whites  were  driven  out  by  the 
Sioux.  Two  years  later  the  Pawnees  abandoned  the  ground 
and  returned  to  the  south  of  the  Platte,  where  they  joined 
a  remnant  of  the  tribe,  who  had  always  remained  in  their 
village. 

In  1857  they  made  another  treaty  with  the  United 
States  Government,  and  soon  after  removed  to  the  north 
of  the  Platte,  where  they  settled  on  a  large  reservation  of 
fertile  land,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  west  of 
Omaha  City. 

My  first  visit  to  the  Pawnees  was  made  under  very 
unpleasant  circumstances.  About  three  weeks  before  I 
entered  on  the  duties  of  my  office,  a  white  man  was  mur- 
dered on  an  island  in  the  Platte  River,  and  it  was  gener- 
ally believed  that  the  murderers  were  members  of  the 
Pawnee  Tribe.  Soon  after  being  informed  of  it,  I  went 
to  the  Pawnee  Agency,  and  on  the  30th  of  the  Sixth 
month,  1869,  held  a  council  with  the  chiefs  and  head  men 
of  the  tribe,  in  which  the  late  Agent,  C.  H.  Whaley,  acted 
as  secretary.  My  opening  address  to  the  Indians  was 
reported  as  follows : 

"  I  have  been  commissioned  by  your  Great  Father  at 
Washington,  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to  pro- 
mote your  welfare,  to  protect  you  in  your  legal  rights,  and 
to  require  you  to  respect  the  rights  of  each  other  and  of 
the  white  people  around  you.  I  have  lately  received  in- 
structions from  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  at 
Washington,  part  of  which  I  will  now  read  to  you.  He 
says  : 

"  '  Care  should  be  taken  to  inform  Indians  claiming  to 
be  friendly,  that  they  must  not  violate  the  laws  of  the 


266  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

United  States  by  acts  of  murder,  theft  or  robbery,  that 
for  such  crimes  the  tribe  will  be  held  responsible,  and 
their  annuities  will  be  withheld  until  the  offenders  are 
delivered  up.' 

"It  is  my  painful  duty  to  inform  you  that  Edward  Mc- 
Murty  was  murdered  on  the  8th  of  last  month,  and  there 
is  much  evidence  to  show  that  it  was  done  by  one  or  more 
members  of  the  Chow-ee  Band  of  Pawnees.  This  wicked 
deed  was  committed  on  an  island  in  the  North  Platte 
River,  in  the  north-east  part  of  Polk  County,  Nebraska. 
The  body  of  the  murdered  man  has  been  found  with  an 
arrow  sticking  in  it,  and  a  coroner's  jury  has  given  a  ver- 
dict that  Edward  McMurty  was,  on  the  8th  of  May  last, 
willfully  and  maliciously  murdered  by  members  of  the 
Chow-ee  Band  of  Pawnee  Indians. 

"  George  D,  Grant,  one  of  the  witnesses  who  gave  testi- 
mony in  the  case,  is  here  to  repeat  his  testimony  in  your 
hearing,  in  order  that  you  may  fully  comprehend  the 
grounds  on  which  the  verdict  is  founded. 

"I  am  not  willing  that  the  imputation  of  this  crime 
should  rest  upon  the  Pawnee  Indians  without  a  full  and 
thorough  examination.  You  may,  perhaps,  know  who  com- 
mitted the  wicked  deed.  If  you  know,  it  is  your  duty  to 
inform  us,  and  it  is  to  the  interest  of  your  tribe  to  have 
the  offender  punished. 

"  If  you  will  deliver  up  the  man  or  men  whom  you  sup- 
pose to  be  guilty,  he  or  they  will  be  tried  before  a  court  of 
the  United  States,  and  will  be  allowed  counsel  to  plead 
for  them  in  order  that  strict  justice  may  be  done.  If  they 
are  found  to  be  guilty,  they  will  have  to  suffer  the  penalty 
provided  by  law  ;  but  if  their  guilt  cannot  be  proved,  they 
will  be  acquitted  by  the  court." 

The  verdict  of  the  coroner's  jury  was  then  read  and 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Jattney.  267 

interpreted  in  Pawnee,  and  George  D.  Grant  gave  his  testi- 
mony, which  was  also  interpreted. 

Peet-ah-La  Shar,  the  head  chief,  rose  and  said  :  "I  lost 
my  friends  by  the  whites  last  winter.  I  don't  grieve  over 
it  much,  and  did  not  intend  to  speak  about  it  to-day.  We 
are  afraid,  when  we  go  on  the  hunt,  of  being  killed  by 
white  men.  Our  men  were  killed  last  winter  when  they 
had  done  nothing  wrong.  We  also  lost  a  large  number  of 
horses;  the  white  men  down  in  Kansas  have  them.  We 
thought  to  talk  with  our  Great  Father  about  it,  and  that 
he  would  see  us  righted.  We  do  not  allow  our  men  to 
kill  white  men.  We  send  our  warriors  out  with  white  men 
to  fight  the  Sioux.  We  have  nothing  to  eat  now.  Grass- 
hoppers destroyed  our  corn  last  year.  We  hope  you  will 
take  care  of  us." 

Superintendent. — "This  is  a  painful  business  to  me,  but 
it  is  my  duty  to  do  it.  If  it  is  not  settled  in  some  way, 
there  will  be  continual  trouble.  I  think  it  is  just  as  wrong 
for  white  men  to  kill  Indians  as  for  Indians  to  kill  white 
men.  I  am  willing  to  protect  you  in  your  rights,  but  you 
must  respect  the  laws ;  you  must  not  kill  white  men  nor 
steal  their  horses.  The  best  thing  for  you  is  to  stay  on 
your  reservation.  As  soon  as  this  business  is  settled,  I 
intend  to  ask  your  Great  Father  in  Washington  to  give  you 
something  to  eat." 

Mad  Bull. — "It  was  some  of  my  relations  that  were 
killed  in  Kansas  last  winter.  The  news  has  gone  to  our 
Great  Father  long  ago,  but  we  hear  nothing  of  it." 

Superintendent. — The  Indians  that  were  killed  in  Kansas 
were  beyond  my  jurisdiction.  I  have  no  power  or  control 
down  there.  If  you  wish  to  have  the  men  in  Kansas  pun- 
ished who  wronged  you,  the  best  way  is  to  deliver  up  the 
men  who  killed  McMurty." 


268  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Ter-re-Kah-wah. — "Some  of  my  relations  were  killed 
by  white  men.  Twelve  of  my  relations  were  killed  in 
Kansas.  We  could  do  nothing  about  it.  If  it  had  been 
done  by  Indians,  we  should  have  had  our  revenge ;  but  as 
it  was  by  white  men,  we  did  nothing  in  revenge,  and  do 
not  desire  it.  About  the  man  killed  I  have  nothing  to 
say ;  I  know  nothing  of  it.  We  are  willing  to  say  nothing 
about  the  men  we  have  lost  by  whites  if  you  will  say  no 
more  about  the  white  man  that  has  been   killed." 

Superintendent. — "You  have  been  speaking  about  men 
killed  in  Kansas.  I  have  said  I  have  no  jurisdiction  there. 
It  is  not  the  way  of  the  white  man  when  his  friend  is  killed 
to  go  out  and  kill  the  first  man  he  meets.  We  have  laws, 
and  the  guilty  have  to  be  punished.  I  hear  that  your  men 
have  been  in  the  habit  of  going  to  Kansas  after  horses. 
When  you  go  and  take  their  property,  they  retaliate  upon 
you.  You  must  give  up  the  practice.  I  will  send  an 
account  of  what  you  say  here  to  Washington.  It  is  your 
duty  to  find  out  who  murdered  McMurty,  and  deliver  up 
the  criminal.  Under  my  instructions,  I  cannot  deliver 
the  goods  until  a  greater  effort  has  been  made  to  deliver 
up  the  guilty  party.  I  have  concluded  to  stay  till  to-mor- 
row morning,  and  if  you  will  find  the  men  that  did  the 
murder,  I  will  start  wagons  for  goods,  and  have  some  of 
them  here  to-morrow  night.  If  the  criminals  are  not 
delivered  up  to-morrow  morning,  I  shall  go  to  Omaha  and 
write  to  Washington  for  further  instructions." 

The  council  being  adjourned,  some  of  the  members 
met  me  next  morning,  when  Peet-ah-La-Shar,  the  head 
chief,  reported  as  follows  : 

"The  general  talk  in  the  tribe  is,  that  the  persons 
engaged  in  the  murder  of  McMurty  are  four  in  number, 
and    all  are   members   of    the   Pe-ta-how-e-rat   Band   of 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  269 

Pawnee  Indians.  These  four  persons  are  all  out  with 
Major  North  in  the  United  States  service  as  Pawnee 
scouts." 

The  result  of  my  conference  with  the  chiefs  and  head 
men  was,  that  they  agreed  to  surrender  those  on  whom 
suspicion  rested.  The  four  delivered  up  and  taken  to 
Omaha  for  trial  were  named  Yellow  Sun,  Little  Wolf, 
Horse  Driver  and  Blue  Hawk.  They  were  kept  in  prison 
until  the  4th  of  Eleventh  month,  when  they  were  brought 
before  the  United  States  District  Court,  Judge  Dundy  pre- 
siding. 

The  prosecution  was  conducted  by  S.  A.  Strickland, 
United  States  Attorney,  and  the  defence  by  C.  S.  Chase, 
whom  I  had  employed  under  instructions  from  the  Com- 
missioner of  Indian  Affairs. 

It  was  found  exceedingly  difficult  to  obtain  an  unpreju- 
diced jury.  Out  of  thirty  jurors  called,  fifteen  were  ex- 
cused on  the  ground  of  their  enmity  towards  Indians. 
The  trial  excited  deep  interest,  being  the  first  of  the  kind 
that  had  taken  place  at  Omaha.  The  jury  brought  in  a 
verdict,  guilty  of  murder,  in  which  the  four  prisoners  were 
all  implicated ;  and  the  counsel  for  the  defence  moved  an 
arrest  of  judgment  on  the  ground  that  the  United  States 
Court  had  no  jurisdiction  in  the  case,  because  the  murder 
was  not  committed  on  the  reservation,  but  on  territory 
subject  to  the  laws  and  jurisdiction  of  Nebraska.  The 
court  being  doubtful  of  its  jurisdiction  in  this  case,  re- 
manded the  prisoners  to  jail  in  Omaha,  and  postponed 
further  proceedings  to  another  time. 

In  the  Second  month,  1870,  the  court  met,  and  the  case 
of  the  four  Pawnee  prisoners  was  again  postponed  until  the 
Fifth  month  following. 

In  my  correspondence  with  the  Commissioner  of  Indian 


270  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Affairs,  I  recommended,  in  case  the  death  penalty  should 
be  pronounced  against  these  Indians,  that  Yellow  Sun's 
sentence  should  be  commuted  to  imprisonment  in  a  peni- 
tentiary for  life,  and  that  Little  Wolf  and  Horse  Driver  be 
imprisoned  in  the  same  for  one  year.  I  believed  that  Blue 
Hawk  was  innocent,  and  recommended  his  pardon.  The 
evidence  against  Little  Wolf  and  Horse  Driver  was  not 
conclusive,  it  only  proved  that  they  were  on  the  island 
at  the  time  of  the  murder.  Yellow  Sun  was  considered 
guilty  both  by  whites  and  Indians,  and  during  his  impris- 
onment the  other  three  Indians  in  the  same  cell  would  have 
no  intercourse  with  him.  He  sat  alone  in  silence,  and  had 
to  eat  alone. 

At  a  subsequent  term  of  the  United  States  Court,  Judges 
Dillon  and  Dundy  decided  that  they  had  no  jurisdiction 
in  the  case,  and  the  four  Pawnees  were  surrendered  to  the 
State  authorities. 

They  were  indicted  by  a  grand  jury  in  Butler  County, 
and  the  case  transferred,  by  a  change  of  venue,  to  Lan- 
caster County,  to  be  tried  at  Lincoln,  the  capital  of  the 
State.  I  attended  the  court  there  several  times,  with  our 
counsel  and  witnesses  always  ready,  but  the  prosecuting 
attorney  was  never  ready. 

On  the*5th  of  Sixth  month,  1871,  after  the  Indians  had 
been  prisoners  about  twenty-two  months,  most  of  the  time  in 
Omaha,  our  counsel  presented  a  petition  on  their  behalf, 
praying  for  their  discharge.  By  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus, 
they  were  brought  before  Judge  Lake,  at  Omaha,  and  he 
decided  to  admit  them  to  bail,  if  the  chiefs  would  become 
responsible  for  their  appearance  at  the  next  term  of  the 
court,  to  be  held  in  the  fall.  He  required  the  four  chiefs 
to  enter  bail  in  the  penalty  of  five  thousand  dollars,  and 
Agent  Troth  and  myself  jointly  in  the  penalty  of  one 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  271 

thousand  dollars.  The  chiefs  readily  accepted  the  terms, 
pledging  their  annuity  money  to  that  amount,  and  J.  M. 
Troth  and  I  agreed  to  become  sureties  on  the  bond, 
although  we  thought  it  ought  not  to  have  been  required  of 
us.  They  were  then  released  from  jail,  and  went  home 
with  their  agent  rejoicing  in  their  freedom.  After  some 
further  delays,  the  prosecution  was  abandoned  and  the 
sureties  released  from  their  bonds. 

The  Indians  bore  their  long  imprisonment  with  patience, 
and  evinced  gratitude  to  visitors  who  made  small  contri- 
butions to  promote  their  comfort.  It  was  my  practice, 
while  at  home  in  Omaha,  to  visit  the  prison  every  First- 
day  afternoon ;  at  first  to  see  the  Indians,  and  afterwards 
to  hold  religious  meetings  within  the  audience  of  the  other 
prisoners. 

In  the  summer  of  1869,  a  deputation  of  Friends  visited 
the  Indian  Agencies  in  the  Northern  Superintendency. 
Benjamin  Hallowell  represented  the  Indian  Committee  of 
Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting ;  Franklin  Haines,  that  of  New 
York  ;  and  Philadelphia  Friends  were  represented  by  John 
H.  Dudley,  of  New  Jersey,  and  Joseph  Powell  and  wife, 
from  Pennsylvania. 

I  accompanied  them  to  all  the  agencies  except  one, 
which  I  had  recently  visited.  I  enjoyed  their  company 
and  appreciated  their  suggestions  in  regard  to  the  manage- 
ment of  Indian  affairs. 

In  a  memorial  addressed  to  Congress,  in  the  Third 
month,  1870,  by  a  convention,  representing  six  Yearly 
Meetings  of  Friends,  they  asked  for  an  appropriation  of 
one  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dollars,  to  promote  the 
civilization  of  the  Indians,  by  supplying  them  with  agri- 
cultural implements  and  live  stock,  to  establish  schools, 
and  to  pay  teachers.     An  appropriation  of  thirty  thousand 


272  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

dollars  was  granted,  which  I  distributed  among  the  several 
tribes  in  the  ratio  of  their  population. 

In  the  memorial,  reference  was  made  to  the  condition  of 
the  Indians  in  the  Northern  Superintendency,  as  seen  by 
our  visiting  committee.  "  These  wards  of  the  Govern- 
ment," they  say,  "were  found  in  a  very  depressed  and 
degraded  condition,  as  a  general  thing,  poor,  hungry,  idle 
from  want  of  means  and  inducements  to  labor ;  destitute  of 
suitable  clothing ;  complaining  of  unfulfilled  treaty  stipula- 
tions ;  living  in  lodges,  with  several  families  in  a  single  apart- 
ment, thus  excluding  that  healthful  privacy  which  decency 
and  virtue  require ;  the  lodges  dark,  unventilated,  often 
filthy,  and  as  a  consequence  of  this  condition,  sickness 
extensively  abounding,  especially  among  the  children  — 
scrofulous  gatherings  and  ulcers,  sore  eyes,  debility  and 
consumption." 

"  To  the  Convention  of  Friends  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia  on  Indian 
Co7icems : 

"Omaha,  Fourth  month,  29th,  1S70. 
'*  Dear  Friends  : 

"  Believing  that  some  information  concerning  the  condition  and 
prospects  of  the  Indians  in  the  Northern  Superintendency  will  be 
useful  and  interesting  to  the  convention,  I  submit  the  following 
report : 

"  At  the  Santee  Agency  the  survey  of  the  allotments  of  land  in 
severalty  is  well  advanced,  and  the  Indians  are  eager  to  occupy  their 
farms  as  soon  as  houses  can  be  built.  A  new  steam  saw-mill  has  been 
put  in  operation,  a  large  number  of  saw-logs  are  in  readiness,  and 
lumber  is  being  rapidly  prepared  for  building  purposes.  The  Agent 
expects  the  Indians  to  do  most  of  the  work  in  erecting  their  own 
houses.  He  has  contracted  for  machinery  to  build  a  nouring-mill  on 
Bazille  Creek,  which  affords  a  sufficiency  of  water  power.  He  has 
seeded  about  one  hundred  acres  with  spring  wheat,  and  intends  to 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  273 

put  in  a  corn  crop  on  the  Agency  farm.  The  schools  are  flourishing, 
and  the  Indians  manifest  a  disposition  to  help  themselves  by  honest 
labor.     The  condition  of  the  tribe  is  very  encouraging. 

"  At  the  Winnebago  Agency  about  three  hundred  acres  of  prairie 
land  were  broken  by  Indian  labor  last  summer  to  prepare  for  a  crop 
this  year.  The  Agent  writes  :  '  We  are  getting  along  very  nicely  with 
our  work,  having  finished  sowing  about  four  hundred  acres  of  wheat 
several  days  ago ;  it  is  now  coming  up  and  looking  well.  We  are  at 
this  time  plowing  for  corn  and  preparing  to  build  fence.'  The  allot- 
ment of  land  in  severalty  is  well  advanced  towards  completion.  The 
schools,  according  to  the  last  information  I  received,  were  in  a  satis- 
factory condition. 

"  From  the  Omaha  Agency  the  Agent  writes :  '  Industry  and  thrift 
are  now  taking  the  place  of  idleness  and  improvidence.  The  men 
work  well,  and  even  the  old  chiefs  now  shoulder  their  axes  and  go  into 
the  timber  to  work  with  the  rest.'  The  timber  they  have  been  cutting  is 
for  their  own  use,  to  be  sawed  into  lumber  for  the  building  of  their 
houses.  The  past  winter  was  the  first  in  which  they  have  had  the 
care  of  their  own  cattle.  Though  steadily  worked,  they  are  now  in 
good  condition,  and  not  one  has  died,  so  far  as  the  Agent  has  learned. 
Only  one  day  school  has  yet  been  established,  though  many  express 
a  desire  to  go  to  school  that  cannot  be  accommodated.  Funds  are  much 
needed  for  the  support  of  more  schools. 

"  At  the  Pawnee  Agency  a  disposition  has  been  manifested  recently 
by  many  of  the  men  to  engage  in  agricultural  labor,  which  has  hith- 
erto been  performed  almost  exclusively  by  the  squaws.  The  sum  of  four 
thousand  dollars,  deducted  from  their  annuity  last  fall  by  direction  of 
the  chiefs,  has,  in  accordance  with  their  wishes,  been  applied  this 
spring  to  the  purchase  of  wagons,  harness  and  plows.  They  have  a  very 
large  number  of  ponies,  which  were  of  little  use  except  when  they 
went  on  the  hunt;  some  of  these  have  been  broken  to  work,  and  are 
now  used  for  agricultural  purposes. 

"  A  considerable  area  of  land  has  been  prepared  for  a  wheat  crop, 
and  is  probably  sown  by  this  time.  These  Indians  generally  raise  a 
large  supply  of  corn.  The  Manual  Labor  School  is  flourishing  and 
now  numbers  seventy-five  Indian  boys  and  girls,  who  are  boarded, 
clothed  and  taught  the  most  useful  branches  of  an  English  education. 
The  boys  are  taught  to  work  on  the  farm,  and  the  girls  instructed  in 


274  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

household  work.     The  Agency  farm  is  cultivated  by  the  labor  of  the 
boys  and  of  young  men  who  have  been  educated  in  the  school. 

"  The  Agent  of  the  Otoes  and  Missourias  writes  :  '  The  condition 
of  the  tribe  is  very  promising,  and  I  think  its  prospects  are  gradually 
growing  better.  A  day  school,  under  the  care  of  an  experienced 
teacher,  is  progressing  satisfactorily,  but  its  existence  does  not  do 
away  with  the  necessity  of  an  Industrial  School.' 

There  has  been  much  sickness  in  the  tribe,  and  about  thirty  children 
have  died,  mostly  from  measles.  The  practice  of  bleeding  for  the  cure 
of  most  diseases  is  very  common  with  the  Indians,  and  often  injurious. 
The  funds  sent  by  Friends  for  the  supply  of  suitable  food  for  the  sick 
has  been  of  great  service,  and  in  some  instances  medical  aid  has  been 
supplied  from  the  same  source.  All  the  children  of  the  tribe  have 
been  clothed  by  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  now  present  a  very  cred- 
itable appearance.     They  attend  school  with  cheerfulness. 

"  From  the  Great  Nemaha  Agency  I  returned  yesterday.  There 
has  recently  been  much  sickness  among  the  Indians,  chiefly  from 
measles,  but  a  skillful  physician  living  within  six  miles  of  the  reserva- 
tion, has  attended  them,  and  the  deaths  have  been  few. 

"  The  Iowa  Tribe  is  evidently  much  improved  since  I  first  saw  it, 
and  many  of  the  men  who  were  formerly  intemperate  and  idle,  have 
reformed,  and  are  now  sober  and  orderly  in  their  habits.  The  school, 
taught  by  Mary  B.  Lightfoot,  is  well  attended,  and  the  progress  of  her 
pupils  encouraging.  The  supplies  of  clothing  for  the  women  and 
children,  and  suitable  food  for  the  sick,  furnished  by  the  Friends,  have 
been  faithfully  appropriated  and  gratefully  received. 

"  It  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing  account  of  the  several  agencies, 
that  we  have  no  cause  for  discouragement.  Some  progress  has  already 
been  made,  and  we  trust  that  much  more  will  be  accomplished  through 
patient  and  persevering  effort,  under  the  providential  care  and  guid- 
ance of  the  Universal  Father  who  called  us  to  this  interesting  field  of 
labor. 

"  The  Friends  engaged  in  this  work  are  harmoniously  co-operating 
for  the  advancement  of  our  red  brethren  in  their  moral  and  social 
condition,  preparatory,  as  I  hope,  to  their  acceptance  of  the  blessed 
truths  of  the  Christian  religion.  I  am  fully  assured  that  no  teaching 
of  religious  truth  will  be  of  much  avail  without  a  pure  and  consistent 
example  on  the  part  of  the  Agents,  employes  and  traders,  who  are 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  275 

entrusted  by  the  United  States  Government  with  the  responsible  duty 
of  watching  over  the  Indians,  supplying  their  wants  and  instructing 
them  in  the  arts  of  civilized  life. 

"  With  this  view  I  have  uniformly  recommended  to  the  Agents,  that 
when  changes  are  made  in  the  employes  and  traders,  a  preference 
should  be  given  to  such  members  of  our  Society  as  feel  a  religious  con- 
cern for  the  welfare  of  the  Indians  and  can  harmoniously  co-operate 
with  us.  It  is  exceedingly  desirable  that  men  with  families  should 
be  sent  in  preference  to  others,  for  the  presence  and  good  example  of 
pious  and  refined  women,  who  are  willing  to  visit  the  Indians  and  in- 
struct them  in  their  domestic  duties,  will  be  more  effectual  than  any 
other  means  we  can  employ  for  their  civilization. 

"  Liberal  contributions  have  been  sent  from  nearly  all  the  Yearly 
Meetings,  and  thousands  of  hearts  have  been  gladdened  by  the  well- 
timed  charities  of  Friends. 

S.  M.  Janney, 
Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs." 

"Winnebago  Agency,  Neb.,  Sixth  month,  4th,  1870. 
"  B.  Hallowell  : 

"Dear  Friend. — I  am  stopping  here  on  my  way  back  from  the  San- 
tee  Agency,  which  I  visited  in  company  with  our  friends  Joseph  Mead 
and  Benjamin  Chase.  During  the  last  three  weeks  I  have  passed 
through  much  trouble  and  solicitude  in  the  performance  of  my  official 
duties.  On  the  10th  of  last  month  I  received  information  that  the 
Winnebago  Indians  were  in  a  very  dissatisfied  condition,  and  that  they 
wanted  to  see  me.  I  started  next  morning,  accompanied  by  my  daugh- 
ter Cornelia,  and  arrived  at  the  Agency  on  the  13th.  In  the  mean- 
time, Agent  White  and  wife  had  gone  to  Omaha  to  see  me,  and  we 
missed  each  other  on  the  way.  They  came  back  immediately,  and  we 
held  a  council  on  the  1 6th,  in  which  the  Indians  brought  forward  their 
complaints. 

"  One  grievance  was,  that  in  the  allotment  of  lands  the  timber  land 
had  been  left  out,  to  be  used  in  common  by  the  tribe,  because  it  was 
at  one  end  of  the  reservation,  and  the  land  too  much  broken  to  be  fit 
for  tillage.  The  same  arrangement  had  been  made  by  Agent  Painter, 
and  the  Omahas  were  satisfied  with  it. 


276  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"  The  Winnebagoes  insisted  that  their  timber  land,  where  many  of 
them  live  and  where  some  of  the  chiefs  have  houses,  should  be  allotted, 
and  my  statement,  that  it  was  unfit  for  tillage  and  unhealthy  to  live 
on,  made  but  little  impression.  They  said,  when  God  willed  them  to 
die,  they  would  die  anywhere.  They  acknowledged  that  Agent  White 
was  an  honest  man,  but  they  found  fault  with  him  because  he  had  not 
had  houses  built  for  them.  I  defended  him,  showing  that  he  had  not 
received  money  to  build  them  with,  and  informed  them  that  some  of 
our  Friends  would  be  here  in  a  few  days,  when  I  would  see  them 
again,  and  encouraged  them  to  go  to  work  for  themselves. 

"  The  next  day  I  returned  to  Omaha  City,  and  found  at  our  house 
Joseph  Mead  and  Benjamin  Chase,  who  had  come  as  a  committee  to 
visit  the  Indians.  I  staid  at  home  a  day,  and  then  took  the  Friends 
in  my  wagon  and  started  back  to  the  Agencies.  We  spent  one  day  at 
the  Omaha  Agency,  where  we  found  things  in  a  satisfactory  condition. 
I  was  particularly  pleased  to  see  how  large  a  quantity  of  timber  the 
Indians  had  cut  and  hauled  for  building  their  houses.  Their  allot- 
ment of  land  having  been  ordered  and  completed  before  those  of  the 
other  agencies,  gave  them  an  earlier  start  in  the  selection  of  their 
farms. 

"  We  held  a  meeting  for  worship  at  the  Omaha  Agency  on  First- 
day  morning,  the  22nd  of  Fifth  month,  and  then  went  to  the  Winne- 
bago Agency,  where  we  held  one  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day. 

"On  Second-day  we  went  to  look  at  the  timber  land  on  the  Winne- 
bago Reservation,  and  on  Third-day,  the  24th,  we  held  a  council  with 
the  tribe.  The  Indians  had  complained  that  they  had  not  cattle  to  work 
with.  I  told  them  we  had  concluded  to  issue  to  them  all  the  oxen,  con- 
sisting of  thirty-five  pairs,  all  the  cows  and  bulls,  numbering  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-eight,  and  all  the  young  cattle.  These  cattle  had  been 
bought  for  them  by  our  predecessor  in  office  and  never  issued,  because, 
they  said,  the  Indians  would  not  take  care  of  them.  I  found  the  cost 
of  cutting  hay  to  winter  them,  and  paying  the  wages  of  three  herders, 
amounted  to  twice  as  much  as  the  yearly  increase  of  the  cattle  was 
worth,  and  I  thought  it  best  for  the  Indians  to  have  them  in  their  care. 
This  issue  of  the  cattle  was  very  satisfactory  to  the  Indians,  but  they 
still  insisted  on  the  allotment  of  the  timber  land,  and  the  objections  ex- 
pressed by  myself  and  the  committee  of  Friends  were  unavailing. 
Finding  them  apparently  unanimous,  we  agreed  to  grant  their  request 
on  the  following  conditions  : 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  277 

1st.  The  timber  and  fire-wood  still  to  belong  to  the  tribe,  to  be 
used  in  common. 

"  2nd.  The  timber  land  to  be  allotted  to  families,  in  lots  of  forty  acres 
each,  and  forty  acres  more  on  the  prairie  to  be  allotted  to  each  of  the 
same  families. 

"  3rd.  No  houses  to  be  built  for  them  in  the  timber,  but  those  living 
there  may  be  assisted  in  building  houses  on  their  prairie  lots. 

"This  plan  has  given  general  satisfaction,  but  we  hope  they  will 
come  out  of  the  timber  and  live  on  the  prairie  before  long.  They 
found  no  further  fault  with  Agent  White,  and  the  council  ended  well. 
The  committee  thought  some  person  or  persons  had  been  secretly  at 
work  to  render  the  Indians  dissatisfied  with  the  Agent. 

"  In  the  evening,  after  the  council  adjourned,  two  citizens  of  Cum- 
mings  County  arrived  at  the  Agency,  who  reported  that  a  white  set- 
tler, named  Oscar  P.  Munson,  had  been  murdered  in  Wayne  County, 
just  beyond  the  boundary  of  the  reservation,  and  they  suspected  that 
the  Winnebago  Indians  had  done  it.  The  body  of  the  deceased  was 
found  near  his  plow ;  the  head  was  cut  off  and  could  not  be  found. 
The  deed  had  been  done  on  the  Fifth-day  preceding  (Fifth  month, 
9th,)and  the  body  was  not  found  until  First-day. 

"  We  spent  many  hours  on  Fourth-day,  the  25th,  in  the  examina- 
tion of  witnesses,  in  the  presence  of  chiefs  and  other  Indians,  but 
could  obtain  no  testimony  sufficient  to  warrant  the  imprisonment  of 
the  five  Indians  suspected  of  the  murder. 

"  On  Fifth-day  morning,  as  we  were  about  to  start  away,  other 
testimony  was  offered,  and  we  spent  the  forenoon  of  that  day  in  exam- 
ining witnesses  separately  and  apart  from  the  other  Indians.  We  con- 
cluded there  was  sufficient  testimony  to  hold  them  and  to  deliver  them 
up  to  the  civil  authority  for  further  examination.  I  requested  Agent 
White  to  put  them  in  the  log  jail  here  and  to  set  a  guard  over  them, 
and  wrote  a  letter  to  General  Strickland,  United  States  District  Attor- 
ney at  Omaha,  for  instructions  to  be  sent  to  Agent  White. 

"  On  Fifth-day  afternoon,  we  started  for  the  Santee  Agency,  and 
arrived  there  on  Seventh-day  afternoon.  We  found  the  family  of  my 
brother  (Agent  A.  M.  Janney),  well,  except  himself,  but  he  was  able 
to  ride  with  us  over  part  of  the  reservation.  The  lumber  for  the  flour- 
ing-mill  and  the  miller's  house  has  been  sawed,  and  Indians  are  en- 
gaged in  digging  the  foundation  for  the  mill,  quarrying  stone,  burning 
lime  and  hauling  logs.     They  are  doing  well,  and  are  contented. 


278  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"  We  had  a  meeting  for  worship  on  First-day  afternoon,  attended 
by  a  very  large  number  of  Indians,  in  the  new  hospital  building, 
which  is  not  yet  completed.  It  was  a  good  meeting.  Next  day  we 
held  a  council,  which  was  satisfactory. 

"  Third-day  we  left  the  Santee  Agency,  and  reached  the  Winnebago 
on  Fifth-day,  the  2nd  inst.  We  found  that  Agent  White  had  gone  to 
West  Point,  Cummings  County,  with  the  five  Indian  prisoners,  who 
had  been  demanded  by  the  sheriff. 

"  Yesterday  I  held  a  council  with  the  chiefs  by  themselves,  and 
then  another  with  the  young  men  and  other  Indians  who  had  of  their 
own  accord  gotten  up  and  signed  a  paper,  requesting  permission  to 
form  themselves  into  a  "  civilized  band,"  as  they  had  determined  to 
adopt  the  dress  and  customs  of  white  people.  I  told  them  of  the 
great  excitement  that  now  exists  around  us  on  account  of  the  murder, 
which  everybody  here  believes  was  committed  by  the  five  young  Win- 
nebagoes  sent  to  prison.  They  were  evidently  much  troubled,  and 
begged  me  to  do  all  I  could  to  keep  the  tribe  on  the  reservation.  The 
young  men  and  most  of  the  middle-aged  in  the  council  voted  for  a 
resolution,  suggested  by  themselves,  requesting  the  Superintendent 
and  Agent  to  remove  all  the  old  chiefs,  because  they  are  opposed  to 
civilization. 

"  This  morning  our  friends,  Joseph  Mead  and  Benjamin  Chase 
went  to  the  Omaha  Agency,  and  I  expect  to  join  them  there  to-morrow 
evening,  after  holding  a  meeting  here  with  the  Indians  in  the  morning. 

"  Omaha  Agency,  Sixth  month,  6th. — Agent  Howard  White  came 
home  on  Seventh-day  afternoon  and  reported  that  the  five  Indian 
prisoners  had  been  committed  for  trial,  and  would  be  taken  to  the 
jail  at  Fremont.  The  citizens  at  West  Point  were  as  moderate  as 
could  be  expected  under  the  circumstances,  and  no  disposition  to  deal 
with  them  illegally  was  manifested.  Agent  White  employed  the  best 
counsel  he  could  obtain  to  defend  them. 

"  At  the  Agency  the  conviction  grows  continually  stronger  that  some 
of  them,  and  perhaps  all  five,  are  guilty  of  the  murder.  We  received  in- 
formation from  various  sources,  that  their  leader,  named  Hookah,  had 
told  several  of  the  Indians  he  had  killed  a  white  man  and  cut  off  his 
head.  It  is  said  they  shivered  the  head  and  divided  the  scalp  among 
the  five,  and  that  it  is  now  in  some  of  the  tepees,  or  Indian  dwellings. 
Hookah  pretends  to  be  a  prophet,  and  has  been  deluding  the  young  men. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  279 

Yesterday  Agent  White  and  I  had  a  consultation  with  some  of  the  white 
employes  in  whom  we  could  confide.  All  expressed  their  belief  that 
the  chiefs  had  endeavored  to  screen  the  prisoners  by  false  testimony,  and 
that  we  ought  to  depose  them  all,  and  put  in  their  places  a  new  set  of 
men,  not  connected  with  the  "  medicine  band,"  with  which  the  old 
chiefs  are  associated.  The  chiefs  have  for  years  stood  in  the  way  of 
improvement,  and  most  of  them  are  known  to  be  corrupt.  The  only 
exception  is  White  Breast,  who  proposed  some  time  ago  to  resign. 
We  have  concluded  that  this  change  is  necessary,  and  that  it  can  be 
made  now  more  successfully  than  at  any  other  time,  because  the  chiefs 
are  humbled  and  fear  that  the  whites  will  insist  on  removing  the  tribe. 
It  is  to  be  done  as  soon  as  Agent  White  can  determine  on  suitable 
men  for  their  successors. 

"  Omaha,  Sixth  month,  7th. — We  arrived  here  this  afternoon,  and 
found  all  well.  I  have  prepared  a  statement  for  the  press,  which  I 
suppose  will  appear  in  the  Omaha  papers  to-morrow.  We  expect  to 
go  to  the  Pawnee  Agency  two  days  hence. 

Thy  affectionate  friend, 

Samuel  M.  Janney." 

The  five  Winnebago  Indians  accused  of  murder  were 
tried  in  one  of  the  courts  of  the  State  of  Nebraska,  and 
being  found  guilty,  were  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  life. 
The  chiefs  of  the  Winnebago  tribe  were  deposed  by  Agent 
White,  with  my  approval,  and  an  equal  number  of  better 
men  appointed  in  their  stead.  The  next  year,  the  chiefs 
were  elected  by  the  people,  and  subsequently  annual  elec- 
tions were  held.  This  plan  was  found  to  work  well,  and 
will  undoubtedly  have  a  salutary  effect  in  preparing  the 
Indians  for  the  duties  and  privileges  of  citizenship. 

(The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Indian  Affairs  in  1871 :  ) 

Indian  Civilization. 

"Being  about  to  retire  from  the  position  of  Superintendent  of 
Indian  Affairs,  I  deem  it  not  inappropriate  to  express  the  result  of  my 


280  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Ja?mey. 

observations  and  reflections  on  the  subject  of  Indian  civilization.  It 
is  well  known  that  in  nearly  all  cases  of  advancement  from  savage  to 
civilized  life,  the  progress  has  been  slow,  and  that  the  transition  has 
usually  occupied  several  generations.  It  may,  however,  be  accelerated 
by  bringing  the  subjects  to  be  acted  upon  into  familiar  intercourse  with 
good  and  enlightened  people,  who,  by  a  course  of  uniform  justice 
and  kindness,  may  gain  their  confidence,  and  by  examples  of  moral 
purity,  inspire  them  with  respect  and  love. 

"  In  the  endeavours  that  have  been  made  to  civilize  and  Christian- 
ize the  Indians,  too  little  attention  has  usually  been  given  to  the  influ- 
ence of  woman  and  her  peculiar  adaptation  to  this  work.  In  my  judg- 
ment, the  most  efficient  means  we  can  use,  is  to  employ  in  the  Indian 
service  families  composed  of  intelligent,  virtuous  men  and  women  accom- 
panied by  their  children.  Those  should  be  selected  who  feel  a  real 
interest  in  the  work,  and  who  would  engage  in  visiting  the  Indians  in 
their  dwellings,  attending  them  in  sickness,  teaching  their  children, 
instructing  the  men  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  the  women  in  house- 
hold duties,  thus  leading  them,  by  example  and  precept,  to  appreciate 
the  beauty  and  excellency  of  Christian  principles. 

"  We  have  found  by  experience,  that  very  many  of  the  Indian  men 
may  be  induced  by  liberal  wages  promptly  paid  to  perform  the  agri- 
cultural labors  that  were  formerly  imposed  on  their  women,  and  that 
the  Indian  women  very  readily  learn  to  attend  to  household  duties; 
but  our  chief  reliance  is  on  the  education  of  the  young.  The  chil- 
dren show  an  aptitude  for  learning,  and  are  very  amiable,  scarcely  ever 
quarreling  among  themselves.  There  should  be  on  every  reservation 
a  sufficient  number  of  day  schools  to  accommodate  all  the  children 
between. the  ages  of  six  and  twelve  years.  They  should  be  carefully 
taught  to  speak,  read  and  write  the  English  language,  and  should 
then  be  transferred  to  an  Industrial  Boarding  School,  of  which  there 
should  be  one  or  more  on  each  reservation.  In  these  schools  the 
boys  should  be  taught  farming,  gardening  and  the  mechanical  arts, 
and  the  girls  instructed  in  housekeeping  and  sewing.  By  this  means 
a  tribe  may  be  civilized  and  taught  to  speak  the  English  language  in 
a  single  generation. 

"  While  this  system  of  education  is  going  forward,  allotments  of 
land  should  be  assigned  to  every  family,  implements  of  agriculture, 
seeds  and  live  stock  furnished  them,  and  assistance  given  them  in 
building  cottages. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  281 

"  Religious  instruction  should  be  given  adapted  to  their  condition, 
and  the  practical  part  of  Christianity  illustrated  by  example. 

"  By  these  means  I  believe  the  enlightened  and  humane  policy  of 
President  Grant  may  be  successfully  established,  and  the  Aborigines 
of  our  country  saved  from  extinction. 

Very  respectfully, 

Thy  friend, 

Samuel  M.  Jannev, 
Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs? 
"  To  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs." 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

1871. 

Letter  to  a  Joint  Committee  of  Friends  on  Indian  Affairs — Resigns 
his  position — Letter  from  W.  H.  Macy  relating  to  it — Barclay 
White  is  appointed  as  his  successor — He  is  taken  sick  with  inter- 
mittent fever — Returns  to  his  home  in  Virginia. 

On  the  4th  of  Fifth  month,  1871,  I  addressed  a  report 
to  the  Joint  Committee  of  Friends  on  Indian  Affairs,  from 
which  the  following  passages  are  selected  : — 

"  I  have  recently  visited  the  Santee,  Winnebago,  and  Omaha  Reser- 
vations, my  chief  object  being  to  make  a  contract  for  supplying  the 
Santee  Sioux  Indians  with  beef  and  flour  during  the  remainder  of  the 
fiscal  year,  which  ends  on  the  30th  of  the  Sixth  month.  The  contract 
was  made  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Agent  and  myself. 

"  Last  year  the  crop  of  wheat,  corn  and  garden  vegetables  at  that 
Agency,  owing  to  the  long  continued  drought,  was  almost  an  entire 
failure.  This  year  it  is  probable  that  half  enough  wheat  will  be  raised 
on  the  Reservation  to  supply  the  Indians  with  bread,  and  a  consider- 
able area  of  land  will  be  planted  with  corn. 

"  The  flouring  mill  on  Bazille  Creek  is  nearly  completed,  and  the 
steam  saw  mill  near  the  Agency  has  supplied  a  large  amount  of  lumber 
for  the  buildings  in  progress.  The  Indians  are  building  houses  for 
themselves  on  their  allotments  of  land.     They  are  generally  built  of 


282  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

logs;  the  doors,  windows  and  flooring  boards  being  furnished  by  the 
Agent.  Many  of  them  have  bedsteads,  tables  and  chairs,  being  no 
longer  willing  to  sit  and  sleep  on  the  ground,  as  they  did  two  years 
ago.  The  Indian  women  have  made  a  large  number  of  bed-quilts 
from  the  materials  furnished  by  Friends.  It  was  said  one  hundred 
and  fifty  quilts  were  made  or  in  progress,  and  the  sewing  neatly  done. 

"  There  are  two  Mission  schools.  That  of  the  Congregationalists 
was  not  in  session  while  I  "was  there;  that  of  the  Episcopalians  I  vis- 
ited. It  did  not  appear  to  me  to  be  conducted  with  much  success. 
The  Indians  at  their  Agency  write  and  receive  many  letters  in  the 
Dakota  language,  but  very  few  of  them  speak  or  write  English. 

"  An  Industrial  school  is  much  needed,  but  funds  for  it  have  not 
been  supplied. 

"The  English  language  alone  should  be  taught  in  the  Indian 
schools,  to  prepare  them  for  intercourse  with  the  Whites  on  equal 
terms,  and  to  give  them  access  to  the  treasures  of  English  literature. 

"  On  my  way  home  I  stopped  at  the  Winnebago  Agency,  but  the 
weather  was  so  stormy  that  I  could  not  visit  the  Indians  nor  examine 
their  improvements. 

"  I  was  informed  that  an  election  of  chiefs  took  place  on  the  1st  of 
the  Fourth  month,  and  was  conducted  in  an  orderly  manner,  all  the 
men  being  permitted  to  vote.  Each  of  the  twelve  chiefs  selected  a 
policeman  from  his  own  band.  Annual  elections  of  officers  have  not 
heretofore  been  known  among  the  Indians  of  this  Superintendency, 
and  the  Winnebagoes  are  the  only  ones  who  have  tried  the  experi- 
ment.    I  think  it  is  a  step  in  the  right  direction. 

"  Agent  White  informed  me  that  he  had  sown  a  considerable  area 
of  land  in  wheat,  which,  together  with  that  sown  by  a  few  of  the 
Winnebagoes,  would  probably  amount  to  four  hundred  acres.  If  it 
yields  well,  there  will  be  a  sufficiency  to  supply  the  tribe  with  bread. 
Some  of  the  Indians  are  raising  young  cattle  and  hogs,  and  many  of 
them  have  chickens.  We  hope  they  will  be  self-supporting  in  a  year 
or  two,  but  during  the  last  year,  as  well  as  many  years  previous,  a 
large  proportion  of  their  income  has  been  expended  for  subsistence. 
Their  rations  of  flour,  beef  and  salt  in  one  year  cost  $2S,ooo. 

"  Their  allotment  of  land  will  be  occupied  by  many  of  them  this 
year,  and  houses  are  now  being  built  by  them  with  the  aid  of  the  car- 
penter and  six  Indian  apprentices.  There  are  three  Day  schools  and 
two  First-day  Schools.  An  Industrial  school  is  greatly  needed,  for 
which  an  application  has  been  made  10  the  Department. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  283 

"  I  next  visited  the  Omaha  Agency  with  satisfaction.  The  Indians 
of  this  tribe  have  lately  received  from  the  Interior  Department  certifi- 
cates for  their  allotments  of  land  which  have  been  anxiously  looked 
for  and  are  highly  prized.  A  large  quantity  of  lumber  for  their  houses 
has  been  sawed;  part  of  it  is  hauled  to  their  allotments,  and  some 
comfortable  houses  are  being  built  by  the  carpenter  and  his  Indian 
apprentices.  The  Omahas  have  corn  to  sell  from  their  last  year's 
crop,  and  about  one  hundred  acres  have  been  seeded  in  wheat.  They 
receive  no  rations  of  meat  or  flour  from  the  Government.  I  visited 
two  of  their  schools,  which  were  well  conducted. 

"  The  chiefs  and  head  men  of  the  Pawnees  have  for  some  time 
manifested  a  desire  to  make  peace  with  the  Sioux,  who  have  for  gene- 
rations been  their  enemies,  and  who  frequently  commit  depredations, 
stealing  their  horses  and  killing  and  scalping  their  men  and  women. 
When  Red  Cloud,  the  famous  Sioux  chief,  after  his  visit  to  Washing- 
ton, passed  through  Omaha,  I  had  an  interview  with  him,  and  ex- 
pressed my  desire  that  he  would  make  peace  with  the  Pawnees.  He 
said  that  he  had  not  time  to  stop  then  for  the  purpose,  and  could  not 
do  it  without  consulting  his  people.  According  to  my  recollection, 
he  said  further :  '  The  Pawnees  were  once  our  friends — we  were  like 
brothers ;  but  in  a  war  they  joined  with  the  whites  and  killed  some 
of  our  best  men ;  and  now  we  consider  them  no  better  than  whites.' 

"  By  authority  of  Commissioner  Parker,  I  afterwards  corresponded 
with  J.  M.  Washburn,  United  States  Agent  at  Whetstone,  who  has  charge 
of  the  bands  of  Sioux  commanded  by  the  chief,  Spotted  Tail,  in  order 
to  bring  about  a  treaty  between  him  and  the  chiefs  of  the  Pawnees. 
He  expressed  his  willingness  to  make  a  treaty  and  to  keep  it,  and  for 
some  time  I  expected  to  meet  with  the  representatives  of  the  two 
tribes  at  the  Santee  Agency  in  the  early  part  of  last  month.  But  I 
received,  while  at  the  Santee  Agency,  a  letter  from  Agent  Washburn, 
stating  that  Spotted  Tail  and  his  subordinate  chiefs,  though  willing  to 
make  the  proposed  treaty  and  to  keep  it,  were  unanimously  of  opinion 
that  such  a  treaty  made  by  them  without  the  concurrence  of  the  other 
bands  of  Sioux,  would  not  be  safe,  as  it  would  be  considered  a 
declaration  of  war  by  all  the  Sioux  not  concerned  in  it.  I  regret  the 
failure  of  this  cherished  measure,  but  the  overture  made  by  the  Paw- 
nees and  the  willingness  manifested  by  Spotted  Tail  to  accept,  will,  I 
think,  promote  a  better  state  of  feeling  between  them. 


284  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"  Many  of  the  Pawnees  are  desirous  to  open  farms  and  to  be  pro- 
vided with  good  houses  instead  of  the  mud  lodges  they  now  live  in. 
The  chief  obstacle  in  the  way  is  their  fear  of  incursions  from  the 
Sioux,  who  sometimes  lurk  around  in  the  night  and  kill  any  of  the 
tribe  whom  they  find  outside  of  the  villages. 

"  Last  year  the  Pawnee  chiefs  set  apart  seven  thousand  dollars  of 
their  annuity  money  to  improve  their  mill  and  to  purchase  live  stock 
and  agricultural  implements.  This  year  they  are  willing  to  apply  a 
still  larger  sum  for  purposes  of  improvement.  Their  Manual  Labor 
School  continues  to  be  very  satisfactory,  and  a  commodious  house  for 
a  Day  school  has  just  been  completed. 

"  Within  the  last  three  months  I  have  visited  the  Great  Nemaha 
Agency  twice,  and  was  well  satisfied  with  the  progress  of  the  Iowa 
Tribe.  The  store  established  by  Friends  of  Philadelphia  for  the  benefit 
of  the  tribe,  continues  to  be  a  complete  success,  and  arrangements 
are  now  being  made  by  Agent  Lightfoot  to  establish  an  Industrial 
Home  for  Orphans.  I  think  the  funds  applicable  to  this  purpose  will 
board  about  fifteen  orphans,  and  they  will  attend  the  school  taught  by 
Mary  B.  Lightfoot,  which  is  well  conducted.  She  has  added  a  sew- 
ing department,  which  has  been  a  great  benefit  to  the  Indian  women. 

"  The  reports  received  from  the  Otoe  Agency  are  satisfactory.  The 
school  is  very  successful,  and  Agent  Green  hopes  to  establish  another 
very  soon.  The  Indians  of  this  tribe  are  overcoming  their  old  habits 
of  indolence,  and  many  of  them  are  now  desirous  to  open  farms  and 
build  houses,  in  which  work  they  are  assisted  by  the  Agent  to  the 
utmost  of  his  ability. 

Samuel  M.  Janney, 

Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs." 

Having,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1870,  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  I  would  resign  my  office,  I  wrote  as 
follows : 

"  To  the  General  Committee  of  Friends  on  the  Indian  Concerns : 

"  Dear  Friends. — I  have  for  some  time  had  it  in  contemplation  to 
inform  the  General  Committee  that  I  do  not  think  it  will  be  required 
of  me  to  retain  the  office  of  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  longer 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  285 

than  the  autumn  of  next  year.  I  submitted  to  the  appointment  from 
a  sense  of  duty,  believing  it  would  be  right  for  me  to  acquiesce  in  the 
judgment  of  Friends,  and  feeling  a  deep  interest  in  the  work  to  which 
I  was  called.  There  are,  however,  other  duties,  of  a  religious  nature, 
which  I  think  I  will  be  required  to  perform,  and  I  feel  assured  there 
are  in  our  Society  many  Friends  as  competent  as  I  am  to  perform  the 
duties  of  Superintendent.  After  I  shall  have  made  my  third  annual 
report,  which  will  be  due  the  last  of  the  Ninth  month,  1871,  I  think  I 
shall  feel  at  liberty,  with  the  consent  of  my  friends,  to  retire  from  this 
field  of  labor.  My  commission  runs  for  four  years  from  the  22nd  of 
Fourth  month,  1869. 

"  Having  nearly  reached  the  end  of  my  seventieth  year,  it  seems 
proper  that  the  declining  period  of  my  life  should  be  passed  in  some 
degree  of  tranquility,  though  I  still  feel  desirous  to  labor  according  to 
my  ability  in  the  Good  Master's  service. 

Your  cordial  friend, 

Samuel  M.  Janney." 


On  the  2nd  of  the  Sixth  month,  1871,  I  transmitted  to 
William  H.  Macy,  Secretary  of  the  Executive  Committee 
of  Friends,  the  following  communication : 

"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States  : 

"  I  propose  retiring  from  the  position  I  now  occupy  as  Superin- 
tendent of  Indian  Affairs  in  the  Northern  Superintendency  at  the 
close  of  the  third  quarter  of  this  year.  Being  now  in  my  seventy-first 
year,  I  wish  to  be  relieved  from  the  care  and  labor  attendant  on  this 
office.  I  therefore  tender  my  resignation,  to  take  effect  on  the  30th  of 
the  Ninth  month,  1 871. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

Samuel  M.  Janney." 

A  letter  from  William*  H.  Macy,  dated  Third  month, 
nth,  1 87 1,  was  accompanied  by  the  following  minute: 


286  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"At  a  Meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  appointed  to  represent  the 
Convention  of  Delegates  on  Indian  Affairs  of  the  Six  Yearly 
Meetings,  held  at  Race  Street  Meeting-house. 

"Philadelphia,  Second  month,  21st,  1871. 

"William  H.  Macy,  Secretary,  and  William  Dorsey,  Assistant. 
Present,  eleven  members. 

"  A  letter  from  Samuel  M.  Janney  was  read,  dated  Second  month 
6th,  1 87 1,  enclosing  his  resignation  as  Superintendent  of  the  Northern 
Superintendency  of  Indians,  addressed  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  to  take  effect  on  the  30th  of  Ninth  month  next. 

"  The  subject  claimed  the  deliberate  consideration  of  the  committee, 
and  after  an  expression  of  much  feeling  and  regret  at  parting  with  his 
services  in  his  present  position,  his  resignation  was  accepted. 

"  Barclay  White,  of  New  Jersey,  was  then  proposed  as  a  Friend 
suitable  for  Superintendent  in  the  place  of  Samuel  M.  Janney,  which 
being  fully  united  with,  it  was  concluded  to  present  his  name  to  the 
President  for  that  station. 

"  A  communication  was  read,  from  Barclay  White,  stating  that  he 
was  willing  to  submit  to  the  judgment  and  wishes  of  his  friends 
should  they  feel  it  right  to  nominate  him  to  the  President. 

"  The  Secretary  was  directed  to  forward  to  Samuel  M.  Janney  and 
Barclay  White  copies  of  the  foregoing  minute.    Signed  on  our  behalf, 

William  H.  Macy, 

Secretary." 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  Eighth  month,  1871,  after  my 
return  from  a  visit  to  the  Winnebago  and  Omaha  Agencies, 
I  was  taken  sick  with  intermittent  fever,  which  was  thought 
to  be  increased  in  severity  by  anxiety  of  mind  about  Indian 
affairs.  I  was  mercifully  favored  to  obtain  relief,  but  my 
strength  was  much  reduced. 

The  writing  of  my  Annual  report  to  the  Government 
and  the  care  attendant  on  settling  up  official  business, 
was  too  much  for  my  exhausted  frame,  and  near  the  close 
of  the  Ninth  month  I  was  taken  with  the  ague. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  287 

On  the  1st  of  Tenth  month  I  left  Omaha,  having  deliv- 
ered to  Barclay  White  the  property  and  funds  on  hand 
belonging  to  the  Government.  My  daughter-in-law,  Eliza 
F.  Janney,  who  had  been  my  chief  clerk,  was  invited  by 
my  successor  to  retain  the  position.  She  accepted  the 
offer,  and  remained  at  Omaha  with  her  two  children. 

My  wife  and  daughter  accompanied  me  on  the  home- 
ward journey.  We  stopped  at  West  Liberty,  Iowa,  where 
we  remained  about  two  weeks  in  order  that  my  strength 
might  be  sufficiently  restored  to  travel  with  safety  and 
comfort.  During  our  stay  in  that  place  we  attended  the 
meetings  of  Friends  with  satisfaction,  and  on  resuming  our 
journey  we  stopped  a  few  days  at  Richmond,  Indiana,  and 
Waynesville,  Ohio,  where  we  attended  the  meetings  of 
Friends,  and,  by  request,  I  gave  some  account  of  the  con- 
dition and  prospects  of  the  Indians  in  Nebraska. 

On  the  27th  of  Tenth  month,  1871,  we  arrived  in  Balti- 
more just  in  time  to  attend  our  Yearly  Meeting,  and  were 
received  by  Friends  with  a  hearty  welcome.  They  recog- 
nized the  propriety  of  my  withdrawal  from  the  Indian  ser- 
vice, and  we  rejoiced  together  in  a  cordial  reunion  of 
religious  fellowship. 

During  the  time  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  there  was  a  Con- 
vention of  Delegates  from  the  Yearly  Meetings  of  Philadel- 
phia, New  York,  Baltimore,  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Genesee, 
which  met  to  consider  the  work  of  Indian  civilization 
entrusted  to  our  care. 

I  made  a  report  in  writing  to  the  Convention,  and  also 
delivered  to  a  large  audience  a  lecture  on  the  progress  of 
this  work  in  Nebraska  and  the  prospect  of  successfully 
carrying  out  the  humane  policy  of  the  President  in  im- 
proving the  condition  of  the  Indians. 


.       CHAPTER   XXIV. 

1873- 

Attends  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting  with  James  M.  Walker  as  companion — 
They  visit  some  meetings  belonging  to  it — Attends  Indiana  Yearly 
Meeting. 

1873,  Eighth  month,  28th. — Left  home,  and  being  joined 
on  the  way  by  my  friend  James  M.  Walker  as  compan- 
ion, and  by  Jesse  Hoge  and  his  companion,  William  B. 
Steer,  we  entered  the  cars  at  Berlin  and  reached  Cumber- 
land, Maryland,  that  evening.  On  Sixth-day  we  proceeded 
via  Pittsburg,  and  reached  Salem,  in  Ohio,  on  the  eve- 
ning of  that  day,  where  we  were  kindly  received  and  hos- 
pitably entertained  by  Martha  Stanton. 

Eighth  month,  30th. — Attended  the  meeting  of  Minis- 
ters and  Elders,  and  the  Representative  committee.    . 

31st. — Attended  the  meetings  for  Divine  worship  at 
Salem  in  the  morning  and  afternoon.  I  was  engaged  in 
Gospel  ministry  in  the  morning  meeting  to  the  relief  and 
satisfaction  of  my  own  mind,  and  was  followed  by  Elihu 
Durfee,  of  Cincinnati,  and  some  other  Friends,  whose  min- 
istry was  lively  and  edifying.  In  the  afternoon,  Sunder- 
land P.  Gardner,  of  Farmington,  New  York,  spoke  at 
considerable  length  to  edification. 

Ninth  month,  1st. — The  Yearly  Meeting  convened,  and 
the  usual  business  was  transacted.  The  epistles  from  other 
Yearly  Meetings  were  edifying,  and  some  instructive  re- 
marks were  made.  In  the  evening  a  meeting  of  the  First- 
day  School  Association  was  held  in  the  meeting-house.  Only 
(288) 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  289 

three  schools  were  represented,  two  of  which  have  been 
conducted  to  satisfaction.  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  address 
the  meeting  with  a  view  to  remove  the  prejudice  existing 
in  some  minds,  and  to  show  that  First-day  schools,  pro- 
perly conducted,  with  a  reliance  upon  Divine  aid,  have  in 
many  cases  been  blessed  to  the  children  and  the  teachers, 
and  have  resulted  in  reviving  the  spiritual  life  and  increas- 
ing the  attendance  of  Friends'  meetings. 

Ninth  month,  2nd. — The  Yearly  Meeting  was  chiefly 
occupied  with  the  answers  to  the  Queries  and  the  consid-, 
eration  of  the  state  of  Society.  In  the  evening  of  Third- 
day,  a  meeting  of  the  Indian  Committee  was  held,  and 
much  interest  manifested  in  the  cause  of  Indian  civil- 
ization. 

Ninth  month,  3rd. — A  meeting  for  Divine  worship  was 
held  which  was  well  attended,  solemn,  and  I  think  gen- 
erally satisfactory.  I  was  exercised  in  the  early  part  of  the 
meeting  and  led  to  express  my  views  on  the  Scriptures  of 
Truth,  the  guidance  of  Divine  Grace,  the  coming  of  Christ 
in  the  flesh,  and  his  spiritual  appearance  in  his  people  as 
the  power  of  God  unto  salvation. 

In  the  afternoon  a  joint  meeting  of  men  and  women 
was  held  to  hear  the  report  on  Indian  affairs.  After  it 
was  read  the  clerk  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  rose  and  re- 
quested me,  on  behalf  of  the  meeting,  to  give  a  statement 
of  the  condition  of  the  Indians  in  Nebraska.  I  complied 
with  the  request,  and  gave  a  description  of  their  mode  of 
life  and  the  progress  they  have  made  in  civilization  since 
Friends  have  had  the  care  of  them. 

4th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  sat  about  four  hours,  being 
engaged  most  of  the  time  in  the  consideration  of  an 
epistle  to  other  Yearly  Meetings  and  two  petitions  to  the 
Constitutional  Convention,  relating  to  capital  punishment 

19 


290  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

and  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors.  The 
meeting  then  concluded. 

5  th. — Accompanied  by  my  companion,  James  M.  Walker, 
we  proceeded  to  New  Brighton,  where  we  attended  a  meet- 
ing in  the  evening  in  Friends'  Meeting-house.  It  was 
small,  but  was,  I  think,  lively  and  satisfactory. 

6th. — Were  at  a  meeting  at  Columbiana.  It  was  small, 
but  the  congregation  was  attentive  and  our  labors  among 
them  satisfactory.  In  the  afternoon,  we  went  by  rail  to 
Alliance,  thence  to  the  neighborhood  of  Deer  Creek 
Meeting. 

7th. — Attended  the  meeting  at  Cope's  Run  and  West 
Meeting-house.  They  were  well  attended,  and  the  Gospel 
was  preached  to  the  edification  of  many.  Sunderland  P. 
Gardner  was  called  forth  in  all  these  meetings  to  exercise 
his  gift  in  the  ministry.  Jesse  Hoge  also  spoke  accepta- 
bly, and  I  was  engaged  in  advocating  the  cause  of  Truth, 
which  was  attended  by  the  reward  of  peace. 

8th. — We  came  to  the  neighborhood  of  Mount  Pleasant 
and  the  house  of  Kenworthy  Hoge. 

9th. — Attended  Short  Creek  Monthly  Meeting.  In  the 
meeting  for  worship  I  delivered  a  brief  communication. 
In  the  evening  we  had  a  meeting  at  Mount  Pleasant,  in  a 
Methodist  meeting-house,  which  was  filled  with  a  large 
and  attentive  congregation,  among  whom  were  many  Or- 
thodox Friends  of  the  class  called  Gurneyites,  it  being  now 
the  time  of  their  Yearly  Meeting  at  this  place.  My  mind 
was  much  exercised,  and  I  expressed  my  views  in  relation 
to  the  coming  of  Christ,  his  work  while  in  the  flesh,  in 
bearing  witness  to  the  Truth,  and  for  which  he  also  suffered. 
The  effect  of  his  labor  and  sufferings  was  to  reconcile 
man  to  God,  removing  the  enmity  from  man's  heart,  and 
through  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  purifying  those  who 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  291 

submit  to  its  operation,  and  making  them  partakers  of  the 
Divine  nature. 

Sunderland  P.  Gardner  followed  in  a  very  impressive 
discourse.  He  spoke  in  strong  terms  against  the  com- 
monly received  doctrine  of  original  sin,  and  expressed  his 
belief  that  man's  temptations  spring  from  the  perversion 
of  his  appetites  and  desires,  and  not  from  a  devil  or  evil 
spirit. 

The  meeting  ended  with  public  supplication,  and  was 
satisfactory  to  many;  but  some  objection  was  made  after 
meeting,  by  our  Orthodox  Friends,  to  Sunderland's  views 
in  relation  to  the  non-existence  of  an  evil  spirit  distinct 
and  separate  from  man. 

10th. — Attended  an  appointed  meeting,  at  four  p.  m.,  in 
Short  Creek  Meeting-house.  After  we  had  spoken,  H.  H., 
a  Methodist  minister,  appeared  in  prayer.  We  had  in  the 
morning  attended  a  public  meeting  for  worship,  held  by 
the  Orthodox  (Gurney)  Friends,  at  Mount  Pleasant.  When 
we  reached  the  house,  one  of  their  ministers  was  reading 
aloud  the  Epistle  of  Jude.  He  made  some  comments  in- 
tended to  prove  the  existence  of  an  evil  spirit,  and  the  doc- 
trine of  everlasting  torment  of  the  wicked  in  hell.  He  was 
followed  by  another  minister  in  a  long  discourse  on  the 
same  subjects,  and  the  doctrines  of  original  sin  and  vicari- 
ous atonement.  He  expressed  the  doctrines  of  J.  J.  Gur- 
ney as  I  had  read  them  in  his  works.  A  prayer  or  two 
were  then  offered,  and  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  a  woman 
was  introduced,  who  gave  an  account  of  a  boarding-school 
for  colored  girls  she  was  about  to  establish  in  Mississippi. 
In  order  to  aid  her,  a  collection  was  taken  up  by  passing 
hats  around  among  the  men. 

nth. — We  attended  an  evening  meeting  in  Georgetown 
in  a  Methodist  meeting-house. 


292  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

1 2th. — On  returning  to  the  neighborhood  of  Mount 
Pleasant,  we  received  a  message  from  a  Methodist  minister, 
who  sent  his  son  to  meet  us  and  request  us  to  hold  another 
meeting  in  that  town.  He  said  we  had  thrown  a  bomb- 
shell among  them,  and  they  wished  us  to  take  it  away  or 
give  them  another. 

We  took  it  into  serious  consideration,  and  concluded  to 
appoint  a  meeting  in  Friends'  Yearly  Meeting-house  at 
Mount  Pleasant.  The  Orthodox  Yearly  Meeting  held  there 
had  adjourned.  There  was  a  considerable  audience,  among 
whom  were  a  number  of  Orthodox  Friends  and  some 
Methodists. 

Sunderland  P.  Gardner  spoke  first,  and  delivered  a 
powerful  discourse.  I  followed  him  in  a  communication 
relating  to  the  doctrines  and  principles  of  Friends  and  the 
views  of  the  early  Friends  concerning  the  Divinity  of 
Christ  and  the  reconciliation  and  salvation  of  man  through 
Christ. 

It  was  observed  that  D.  U.,  an  Orthodox  minister,  was 
taking  notes,  and  after  I  had  spoken  he  rose  and  inquired 
whether  the  Friends  who  had  appointed  the  meeting  would 
allow  him  to  ask  a  question.  We  said  nothing  in  reply, 
and  he  remained  quiet.  After  supplication  had  been  made, 
a  brief  discourse  was  delivered  by  Jesse  Hoge,  and  the 
meeting  closed.  It  was  a  solemn  and  impressive  season  of 
Divine  worship,  very  satisfactory  to  our  Friends. 

After  meeting,  several  persons  inquired  whether  I  could 
furnish  them  with  a  brief  exposition  of  Friends'  princi- 
ples. I  had  two  copies  of  my  "Summary  of  Christian 
Doctrines,"  which  I  left  at  my  lodgings  for  them,  and  I 
wrote  to  a  Friend  in  Philadelphia  to  send  a  supply  of  them 
for  distribution  at  Mount  Pleasant.  There  is  much  inquiry 
concerning  our  doctrinal  views,  occasioned  in  part  by  the 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  293 

aspersions  cast  upon  us  by  some  of  those  called  Orthodox 
Friends.  They  have,  as  we  think,  departed  from  the  orig- 
inal ground  of  Friends,  not  only  in  their  doctrines,  but  in 
the  conduct  of  some  of  their  meetings. 

They  now  hold  night  meetings  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
in  their  experience,  and  every  one  is  urged  to  "  testify,"  as 
they  call  it.  The  exhortations,  prayers  and  hymns  follow 
each  other  in  quick  succession,  and  it  is  said  there  were 
nearly  a  hundred  at  one  sitting. 

13th. — We  attended  a  meeting  at  Concord  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  an  appointed  meeting  at  St.  Clairsville,  in  a 
Methodist  meeting-house,  in  the  evening.  They  were 
small  and  tolerably  satisfactory. 

14th. — At  Friends'  Meeting-house,  called  Plainfield,  we 
held  on  First-day,  a  meeting  in  the  morning  and  another 
in  the  afternoon.  They  were  largely  attended  by  Friends 
and  others,  and  were  both  good  meetings.  I  was  favored 
with  ability  to  preach  the  Gospel. 

Friends  in  this  neighborhood,  as  well  as  in  several  others 
in  Ohio,  are  placed  in  discouraging  circumstances.  Their 
numbers  have  been  reduced  by  emigration  to  the  West,  and 
by  dissensions  formerly  prevailing  among  them ;  their  min- 
isters are  few,  and  many  of  their  elders  and  experienced 
members  have  been  removed  by  death.  I  fear  there  is  too 
much  luke-warmness  among  them ;  but  they  have  expressed 
great  satisfaction  with  our  labors,  and  I  trust  there  has  been 
some  awakening  and  renewing  of  strength. 

15  th. — We  rode  in  the  morning  in  a  wagon  twenty 
miles  to  Somerton,  and  attended  meeting.  Then  eight 
miles,  to  Barnesville,  and  held  a  meeting  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian meeting-house,  at  seven  p.  m.  These  were  both  good 
meetings. 

16th. — We  were  at  Friends'  Meeting-house  called  Rich- 


294  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

land,  and  at  the  close  some  Methodists  who  were  present 
invited  us  to  hold  a  meeting  at  Quaker  City,  which  we 
took  into  consideration  and  agreed  to  do.  It  was  satisfac- 
tory. 

17th. — To-day  in  the  cars,  I  met  with  D.  U.,  an  Orthodox 
minister,  who  invited  me  to  take  a  seat  by  him,  and  soon 
began  to  question  me  on  my  religious  belief.  A  long  con- 
versation ensued,  and  I  can  only  give  the  substance  of  a 
small  part  of  it. 

He  queried  what  I  meant  by  acknowledging  the  au- 
thority of  the  Scriptures,  and  whether  I  believed  them  to 
be  the  infallible  record  of  the  truth  of  God.  I  explained 
to  him  what  I  meant  by  their  authenticity,  and  he  repeated 
the  question,  whether  I  believed  in  their  infallibility.  I 
told  him  I  did  not,  but  I  held  the  views  expressed  by  Bar- 
clay, that  mistake:  had  been  made  in  transcription  and 
translation,  and  that  some  interpolations  had  crept  in.  I 
instanced  the  text,  (I.  John,  v.  7,)  :  There  are  three  that 
bear  record  in  Heaven,"  etc.  He  expressed  his  belief 
that  the  Bible  is  an  infallible  record. 

He  queried  whether  I  believed  in  the  miraculous  con- 
ception of  Jesus.  I  replied  that  I  believed  in  the  account 
of  that  event  as  given  by  the  Evangelists,  and  also  in  the 
spiritual  fact  corresponding  with  it,  the  new  birth  in  the  soul 
which  takes  place  in  those  who  accept  the  visitations  of 
Divine  love,  and  live  in  obedience  to  the  Divine  law.  I  stated 
also  that  I  believed  in  the  miracles,  holy  life,  patient  suffer- 
ings, crucifixion  and  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ.  In  an- 
swer to  a  question,  I  stated  that  Jesus  came  to  bear  witness 
-to  the  truth  as  he  testified,  and  that  he  suffered. for  the 
truth,  but  not  as  a  substitute  to  pay  the  penalty  of  man's 
transgression. 

Reverting  to  the  subject  of  the  Scriptures,  I  remarked 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  295 

that  the  Apostles  were  not  infallible,  as  they  sometimes 
differed,  and  Paul  charged  Peter  with  dissimulation.  I  did 
not  see  how  fallible  men  could  write  an  infallible  book, 
and  stated  my  belief  that  Jesus  Christ  was  the  only  infal- 
lible person  that  ever  appeared  in  human  form. 

I  told  him  I  thought  they  had  departed  in  doctrine 
and  worship  from  the  early  Friends,  and  he  gave  me  to 
understand  that  he  did  not  think  it  important  to  adhere  to 
their  example,  but  to  take  the  Scriptures  for  a  guide. 

21st,  First-day. — We  attended  meeting  in  the  morning 
at  Waynesville,  which  was  large  aud  satisfactory.  In  the 
afternoon,  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Springboro',  which 
was  well  attended  and  lively. 

22nd. — We  visited  the  Miami  Valley  Institute,  a  board- 
ing-school for  both  sexes,  under  the  care  of  Friends,  in 
which  manual  labor  is  combined  with  instruction  in  school 
learning.     It  appears  to  be  well  conducted  and  satisfactory. 

24th. — Came  to  Harveysburg  and  were  at  Miami 
Monthly  Meeting.  It  was  attended  by  as  many  as  could 
well  sit  in  the  house.  After  an  interval  of  silence,  I 
thought  I  was  authorized  to  speak  on  the  parable  of  the 
"  leaven  hid  in  three  measures  of  meal,"  showing  the  effect 
of  the  principle  of  Divine  life  to  bring  the  physical,  intel- 
lectual and  moral  nature  in  the  obedient  soul  into  its  own 
nature,  and  thus  establish  the  reign  of  God  in  man.  After 
speaking  a  short  time  I  found  nothing  further  to  say,  and 
on  taking  my  seat  I  said  the  opening  I  had  to  speak  was 
closed,  but  perhaps  another  may  be  called  upon  to  con- 
tinue the  subject. 

Sunderland  P.  Gardner  then  rose  and  delivered  a  -very 
excellent  discourse,  in  which  he  alluded  to  my  remarks  and 
corroborated  my  testimony.  After  he  closed,  I  rose  and 
said  in  substance : 


296  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"'Let  the  Lord  send  by  whom  He  will  send,'  is  the 
prayer  of  my  heart.  I  fully  believe  in  the  Apostolic  de- 
claration, 'There  are  diversities  of  gifts,  but  the  same 
spirit;  differences  of  administration,  but  the  same  Lord; 
diversities  of  operations,  but  it  is  the  same  God  which 
worketh  all  in  all.'  "I  desire,  for  myself  and  for  you, 
that  we  may  all  wait  at  Wisdom's  gate,  ready  to  obey 
the  Divine  call,  and  ascribe  to  God  the  glory  of  His  own 
work. ' ' 

I  felt  much  humbled  before  the  Lord,  and  for  some 
hours  endeavored  to  withdraw  my  thoughts  from  temporal 
things  to  wait  upon  Him,  but  being  surrounded  by  com- 
pany, could  not  attain  the  retirement  I  desired.  Upon 
further  reflection  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  sudden 
closing  of  the  prospect  or  impression  by  which  I  was  led 
to  speak  was  a  salutary  lesson  intended  for  my  improve- 
ment. 

From  Harveysburg  we  went  to  Wilmington  and  attended 
a  meeting  appointed  for  us  in  a  public  hall.  It  was  small, 
and  I  found  but  little  opening  for  religious  service. 

25th. — We  went  by  rail  to  Cincinnati  and  attended 
Friends'  Monthly  Meeting.  In  the  evening  of  the  same 
day  we  had  an  appointed  meeting  in  Friends'  Meeting- 
house, which  was  satisfactory.  I  found  some  opening  for 
service. 

Ninth  month,  27th. — We  attended  the  meeting  of  min- 
isters and  elders  of  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting,  which  was  a 
season  of  Divine  favor. 

28th. — On  First-day  two  meetings  for  worship  were  held. 
In  the  forenoon  meeting  I  was  called  forth  in  the  ministry, 
and  felt  the  reward  of  peace. 

On  Second  and  Third-day  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  en- 
gaged in  the  usual  routine  of  business,  which  was  trans- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  297 

acted  in  brotherly  love,  and  much  edifying  counsel  was 
handed  forth. 

A  proposition  came  from  Blue  River  Quarterly  Meeting 
for  a  new  Yearly  Meeting  to  be  held  at  Clear  Creek,  Illi- 
nois, to  be  composed  of  Blue  River  and  Prairie  Grove 
Quarterly  Meetings.  A  committee  of  men  and  women 
was  appointed  to  visit  those  Quarterly  Meetings,  and  those 
subordinate  to  them,  in  conjunction  with  a  committee  of 
Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting,  of  which  Prairie  Grove  Quar- 
ter is  a  branch.  They  are  to  report  next  year  their  judg- 
ment in  the  case. 

On  Fourth-day  morning  there  was  a  meeting  for  Divine 
worship,  and  in  the  afternoon  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  men 
and  women  met  in  joint  session  to  hear  the  report  on 
Indian  affairs. 

On  Fifth-day  the  Yearly  Meeting  held  two  sittings,  and 
closed  about  sunset  with  a  feeling  of  gratitude  to  the 
Heavenly  Shepherd,  whose '  presence  and  power  had  been 
felt  among  us,  preserving  us  in  harmony  and  affording  us 
the  consolation  of  his  spirit.  The  meeting  closed  with 
solemn  supplication  to  the  tendering  of  many  hearts. 

During  three  evenings  of  Yearly  Meeting  week,  the 
First-day  School  General  Conference  occupied  the  meet- 
ing-house, where  a  large  concourse  of  Friends  assembled 
to  hear  the  reports  and  listen  to  the  exercises.  Delegates 
were  present  from  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  New  York, 
Indiana,  and  Ohio,  and  great  interest  was  manifested  in 
the  good  work  of  religious  instruction  now  in  successful 
progress  in  many  places. 

The  next  day  after  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  we 
started  homeward  from  Richmond  and  reached  our  habi- 
tations on  Seventh-day,  the  4th  of  Tenth  month.  During 
this  journey  we  traveled  about  eighteen  hundred  miles  and 
were  absent  from  home  thirty-eight  days. 


298  Memoirs  of  Samicel  M.  Janney. 

I  feel  thankful  to  the  Author  of  all  Good  for  His  provi- 
dential care  and  preserving  grace.  If  any  good  has  been 
done,  to  Him  alone  be  the  praise. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

1875-80. 

Goes  as  one  of  a  committee  to  attend  the  opening  of  Illinois  Yearly 
Meeting — Fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  marriage — Verses  by-T.  M.  J. 
— Attends  the  Yearly  Meetings  of  Philadelphia  and  New  York — 
Visits  the  Centennial  Exposition — Attends  Warrington  Quarterly 
Meeting  and  the  meetings  composing  it — Death  of  A.  M.  Janney — 
Reflections  upon  his  seventy-seventh  birth-day — Goes  to  Wash- 
ington on  Indian  affairs — Attends  Philadelphia  and  New  York 
Yearly  Meetings — His  closing  record — Attends  Waterford  Quar- 
terly Meeting — Attends  the  opening  of  the  new  meeting-house 
at  Washington — Illness  and  death — Extracts  from  memorial  pre- 
pared by  Friends.     1874-  So. 

[Although  the  facility  of  expression  that  characterized 
his  pen  through  life  enabled  him  during  his  declining 
years  to  express  with  equal  clearness  and  precision  the 
facts  or  sentiments  he  desired  to  communicate,  there  was 
an  evident  decline  in  his  inclination  to  use  the  pen,  and 
an  increasing  tendency  to  reading  and  meditation — a  men- 
tal inertia,  as  he  expressed  it.  This  will  account  for  the 
fact,  that  during  the  last  years  of  his  life  the  records  made 
were  few  and  brief.  In  his  note-book  we  find  the  follow- 
ing entries  :] 

1875,  Ninth  month,  6th. — Left  home  with  the  prospect 
of    attending   the   opening    of    Illinois   Yearly    Meeting, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  299 

having  been  appointed  by  our  Yearly  Meeting  one  of  the 
committee  assigned  to  that  service. 

(In  a  letter  to  his  wife  he  says :) 

We  arrived  here  safely  on  Sixth-day,  the  10th  inst. 
Yesterday  there  was  a  great  gathering  at  the  new  meeting- 
house. It  is  said  that  all  other  places  of  worship  within 
eight  miles  around  were  closed,  in  order  that  their  mem- 
bers might  attend  our  meeting.  There  was  much  speaking 
in  the  line  of  the  ministry ;  I  had  some  service,  and  others 
spoke  very  acceptably. 

To-day,  at  8  a.  m.,  the  ministers  and  elders  met,  and 
at  10  a.  M.  the  Yearly  Meeting  assembled.  We  met  with 
the  partitions  open,  and  at  the  request  of  our  commit- 
tee, I  read  the  minutes  of  Baltimore  and  Indiana  Yearly 
Meetings  appointing  us  to  attend  the  opening  of  Illinois 
Yearly  Meeting.  Then,  after  some  appropriate  remarks, 
the  shutters  were  closed  and  the  men  and  women  proceeded 
to  business. 

Ninth  month,  16th. — The  meeting  closed  under  a  feel- 
ing of  reverent  thankfulness  that  our  Heavenly  Father's 
canopy  of  love  had  been  over  us,  enabling  us  to  move  in 
harmony  and  to  worship  Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

Third  month,  nth,  1876. — On  the  9th  inst.,  being  the 
fiftieth  anniversary  of  our  marriage,  we  had  at  our  house 
the  company  of  our  children  and  grand-children,  brothers 
and  sisters,  who  were  able  to  attend,  and  some  of  our 
nephews  and  nieces.  After  dinner  we  assembled  in  the 
parlor,  when  my  sister  Tacy  recited  the  following  touch- 
ing little  poem  she  had  composed  for  the  occasion: 

"Heavenly  Father!  Lord  eternal! 
Listen  to  our  heartfelt  prayer; 
Fold  Thy  loving  arms  paternal 
Closely  round  this  happy  pair. 


300  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

"  By  '  still  waters  '  they  are  resting, 
And  we  gather  here  to-day, 
Fondest  love  for  them  attesting — 
Wilt  thou,  Lord,  prolong  their  stay  ? 

"  Fifty  years  they  've  passed  together, 
Up  and  down  life's  rugged  steep ; 
Thou  hast  gently  led  them  hither, 
Safe  from  harm  our  loved  ones  keep. 

"  Aided  by  his  gentle  teaching, 
Gladdened  by  her  tender  love, 
Many  are  the  hearts  outreaching 
Toward  our  Father's  home  above. 

"  There,  from  purest  fountain  springing, 

Streams  of  '  living  waters  '  flow, 

With  their  waves  of  gladness  bringing 

Joys  that  only  Heaven  can  know. 

"  We  would,  then,  invoke  Thy  Spirit ; 
Lead  and  guide  us  on  our  way. 
May  we  all  that  home  inherit — 

In  our  Saviour's  'name'  we  pray." 

After  an  interval  of  silent  worship,  I  offered  up  my 
feelings  of  gratitude  and  adoration  to  the  Author  of  all 
Good  for  the  many  blessings  He  had  conferred  upon  us, 
and  especially  for  the  privilege  of  living  together  for  so 
long  a  period  in  sweet  unity  and  entire  harmony.  In  the 
evening  some  of  our  near  neighbors  were  invited  to  our 
house,  when  we  enjoyed  together  a  social  re-union  very 
grateful  to  our  feelings. 

On  the  ioth  of  Fifth  month,  1876,  I  left  home,  accom- 
panied by  my  daughter  Cornelia,  in  order  to  attend  the 
Yearly  meetings  of  Philadelphia  and  New  York,  having 
obtained  a  minute  for  that  purpose. 

We  met  with  a  kind  and  cordial  reception  from  our 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  301 

friends  in  Philadelphia,  and  attended  their  Yearly  Meeting 
with  much  satisfaction.  I  found,  in  the  public  meetings 
for  worship,  opportunities  for  the  exercise  of  my  gift  in 
the  Gospel  ministry,  and  endeavored  to  express,  in  sim- 
plicity and  clearness,  the  views  presented,  which  brought 
the  reward  of  peace.  In  the  meeting  for  discipline  there 
was  much  salutary  exercise  expressed  by  many  Friends, 
and  the  business  was  conducted  with  dignity  and  harmony. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  having  an 
interval  of  leisure,  I  felt  at  liberty  to  spend  the  greater 
part  of  two  days  at  the  Centennial  Exposition,  which  pre- 
sented a  wonderful  display  of  the  productions  of  industry 
and  art  from  nearly  all  civilized  nations.  It  is  calculated 
to  enlarge  the  boundaries  of  knowledge  and  to  promote 
fraternal  relations  among  the  several  nations  who  have 
contributed  to  it.  It  seems  to  me  that  the  various  peoples 
represented  there  and  mingling  in  harmonious  intercourse 
will  become  interested  in  each  other,  and  in  case  of  future 
national  differences,  will  be  less  disposed  than  heretofore 
to  engage  in  hostile  collisions. 

During  a  part  of  the  succeeding  week,  we  attended 
Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Buckingham,  which  was 
large  and  proved  to  be  a  season  of  Divine  favor.  Our 
valued  friend,  Thomas  Foulke,  met  us  there,  and  after  its 
close,  accompanied  us  the  same  day  to  his  house  in 
New  York,  where  we  made  our  home  during  the  Yearly 
Meeting. 

It  was  a  season  of  enjoyment  and  edification  both  in 
the  meetings  for  worship  and  church  discipline.  The  social 
intercourse  we  enjoyed  with  our  friends  in  Philadelphia, 
New  York  and  Brooklyn  was  not  only  delightful  but  con- 
ducive to  spiritual  improvement,  for  "as  iron  sharpeneth 
iron  so  a  man  sharpeneth  the  countenance  of  his  friend." 


302  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

Ninth  month,  9th. — On  the  5th  inst.  I  returned  home, 
after  an  absence  of  thirteen  days,  during  which,  in  com- 
pany with  my  brother  Asa,  I  visited  Warrington  Quarterly 
Meeting,  held  at  Monallen,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  meet- 
ings composing  it.  We  traveled  in  a  carriage  with  one 
horse  two  hundred  and  twenty-six  miles,  going  and  return- 
ing. The  meetings  in  that  quarter  are  small,  and  most  of 
them  weak,  owing  to  luke-warmness  and  unfaithfulness  on 
the  part  of  many  members.  I  labored  among  them  in  the 
service  of  the  Gospel  according  to  the  ability  received, 
and  have  reason  to  believe  my  services  were  very  accept- 
able. I  look  back  upon  the  journey  with  satisfaction  and 
thankfulness  to  the  Author  of  all  Good,  who  abundantly 
rewards  every  sincere  effort  to  serve  Him. 

Sixth  month,  1st,  1877. — Yesterday,  about  two  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  my  dear  brother,  Asa  M.  Janney,  departed 
this  life,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age. 

His  disease  was  pneumonia ;  he  was  sick  about  ten  days, 
and  during  the  latter  part  of  that  time  he  suffered  much 
from  difficulty  of  breathing  and  extreme  debility.  He 
made  a  peaceful  close  and  has  doubtless  entered  into  the 
rest  prepared  for  the  righteous. 

In  his  youth  he  was  deeply  impressed  with  a  desire  to 
lead  a  holy  life,  and  through  Divine  aid  he  was  enabled  to 
walk  in  the  path  of  purity,  being  remarkably  preserved 
from  evil,  and  faithful  in  following  his  religious  convic- 
tions. A  more  disinterested,  self-sacrificing  man  I  have 
never  known,  and  he  was  universally  beloved. 

1878,  First  month,  nth. — To-day  is  the  seventy-seventh 
anniversary  of  my  birth,  and  I  feel  thankful  to  the  Author 
of  all  Good  for  the  many  blessings  He  has  bestowed  on 
me  and  my  family.  My  health  is  better  than  it  was  this 
time  last  year,  and  my  strength,  though  much  diminished, 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  303 

is  as  great  as  I  can  reasonably  expect  at  this  time  of  life. 
In  looking  back  over  the  past  year  I  feel  that  I  have  not 
done  as  much  as  I  hoped  to  do  for  the  cause  of  truth.  I 
have  allowed  myself  to  be  too  easily  discouraged,  and 
have  indulged  in  reading  when  I  might  have  been  more 
active  in  promoting  the  happiness  of  others. 

My  prayer  is  to  my  Heavenly  Father,  that  He  will  con- 
tinue His  loving  care  and  guide  me  in  the  way  of  truth. 

On  Fourth-day,  the  6th  of  Second  month,  1878,  I  went 
to  Washington,  and  met  delegates  from  six  of  the  seven 
Yearly  Meetings  of  Friends  having  the  care  of  the  Indi- 
ans in  Nebraska,  and  of  the  Pawnees  in  the  Indian  Terri- 
tory. 

We  found  much  cause  for  discouragement.  Of  the  six 
Agencies  under  our  care,  only  two  have  Agents  regularly 
confirmed.  Four  Agents  nominated  by  us  and  appointed 
by  the  President  have  not  been  confirmed  by  the  Senate, 
by  reason  of  the  opposition  of  the  Senators  from  Nebraska. 
Their  opposition  to  all  our  nominations  is  likely  to  con- 
tinue, although  the  President  and  Secretary  of  the  Interior 
express  a  decided  wish  for  us  to  continue  in  the  service. 

The  convention  adopted  the  following  minute  : 

"In  consideration  of  the  difficulties  in  the  Pawnee 
Agency,  the  delegates  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  a 
communication  should  be  addressed  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Interior,  asking  that  Friends  may  be  relieved  from  the  re- 
sponsibility of  nominating  Agents  for  that  Agency,  and 
offering  to  continue  our  services  in  the  education  and  civil- 
ization of  the  Pawnees  if  an  opportunity  is  afforded  and  sat- 
isfactory arrangements  can  be  made." 

Our  secretary  was  requested  to  submit  this  to  the  Balti- 
more Committee  on  the  Indian  Concern  for  their  consid- 
eration and  action. 


304  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

1878,  Sixth  month,  5th. — On  the  3rd  inst.  I  returned 
from  a  visit  to  the  Yearly  Meetings  of  Philadelphia  and 
New  York,  again  accompanied  by  my  daughter  Cornelia. 

The  meetings  were  seasons  of  Divine  favor  and  spiritual 
enjoyment,  in  which  I  was  enabled  to  "labor  in  the  ability 
which  God  giveth."  The  retrospect  affords  satisfaction 
and  peace. 

1880,  First  month,  12th. — Yesterday  was  my  birth-day, 
my  age  being  seventy-nine.  It  was  the  First-day  of  the 
week,  and  the  weather  being  mild  and  pleasant,  we  had  a 
large  attendance  at  our  meeting.  It  was  felt  to  be  a  sea- 
son of  Divine  favor  and  impressive  solemnity.  Several 
Friends  spoke  acceptably,  and  I  was  called  forth  in  Gospel 
ministry  with  an  unusual  degree  of  life  and  power,  for 
which  I  feel  thankful  to  the  Author  of  all  Good. 

During  most  of  the  year  just  passed  I  was  in  poor 
health,  and  part  of  the  time  not  able  to  attend  meeting ; 
but  suffered  very  little  pain,  and  notwithstanding  my  de- 
bility, enjoyed  many  seasons  of  precious  communion  with 
the  Father  of  Spirits.  I  feel  grateful  for  the  many  favors 
I  enjoy  in  the  evening  of  life,  and  earnestly  desire  that  I 
may,  through  Divine  aid,  hold  out  to  the  end,  trusting  in 
the  Arm  of  Divine  Power,  and  rejoicing  in  the  assurance 
of  salvation  through  Christ. 

[A  loving  sister,  with  whom,  for  some  years  previous  to 
his  death,  he  had  almost  daily  intercourse,  gives  the  follow- 
ing from  her  note-book :] 

In  the  Second  month  he  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  attend- 
ing the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Waterford  in  company  with 

his  wife  and  daughter  C ,  and  his  aged  friend  William 

Holmes. 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  305 

In  the  Third  month,  the  opening  of  the  new  meeting- 
house in  Washington,  at  the  time  of  the  Circular  Meeting 
held  there,  was  an  occasion  fraught  with  such  deep  inter- 
est to  him,  that  notwithstanding  the  precarious  season  of 
the  year  for  an  aged  invalid,  the  yearning  of  his  heart  led 
him  to  attend;  and  he  enjoyed,  with  his  usual  whole- 
heartedness,  both  the  social  and  religious  features  of  the 
event.  His  presence  there  was  very  gratifying  to  his 
numerous  friends,  some  of  whom  had  come  from  a  dis- 
tance, and  his  voice  was  the  first  to  be  heard  in  those  im- 
pressive words  of  counsel  that  came  so  appropriately  on 
that  occasion. 

After  a  short  but  most  enjoyable  sojourn  with  kind  rela- 
tives in  Georgetown  and  Alexandria,  he  returned  home, 
brightened  in  spirits  and  by  no  means  injured  in  health, 
and  for  some  weeks  the  sweet  serenity  of  his  evening  sky 
was  undimmed  by  acute  or  alarming  symptoms. 

On  the  subject  of  substituting  arbitration  for  the  sword, 
he  had  long  been  deeply  interested,  and  had  often  spoken 
of  war  as  a  terrible  evil,  involving  in  its  course  every  form 
of  vice.  His  very  last  publication  was  a  little  volume  en- 
titled, "Peace  Principles  Exemplified,"  published  in  1876, 
and  the  last  time  he  spoke  in  public  was  at  a  peace  meeting 
held  in  Friends'  Meeting-house,  at  Lincoln,  on  the  First- 
day  afternoon  previous  to  his  illness. 

A  cold,  occasioned  by  the  sudden  changes  in  the 
weather,  assumed  the  form  of  pneumonia,  and  for  two 
weeks  the  dear  sufferer  was  watched  with  tenderest  anxiety 
by  those  whose  devoted  love  made  it  a  privilege  to  suffer 
with  him. 

During  most  of  this  time  their  fears  alternated  with 
hope,  and  this  hope  was,  to  some  extent,  shared  by  him  ; 
for  much  as  he  loved  to  contemplate  the  purified  joys  of 

20 


306  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

another  state  of  existence,  where  the  sublime  promises  of 
the  Redeemer  of  mankind  should  have  their  full  fruition 
in  the  mansions  above,  his  affections  clung  very  closely  to 
those  about  him,  and  he  felt  himself  peculiarly  favored  in 
his  domestic  relations. 

His  greatest  suffering  was  from  difficult  respiration,  a 
form  of  disease  that  seemed  in  great  measure  to  interdict 
conversation ;  but  his  warm  sympathy  in  matters  of  do- 
mestic, social  and  public  interest  manifested  itself  in  occa- 
sional questions,  that  sometimes  surprised  his  listeners. 

Like  Timothy,  he  "had  known  the  Holy  Scriptures 
from  a  child,"  and  for  many  years  their  perusal  had  been 
his  daily  habit.  During  his  last  illness,  he  enjoyed  pecu- 
liarly the  beautiful  and  comforting  promises  contained  in 
the  last  chapters  of  John  which  were  read  to  him ;  and  to 
his  dear  married  daughter,  M.  A.  S.,  he  remarked,  after 
asking  her  to  read  a  chapter  from  the  Bible,  "  It  is  a  good 
practice  for  Friends  to  frequently  read  the  Scriptures  in 
their  families,  with  a  pause  for  reflection.  It  has  always 
been  recommended  in  our  Society." 

On  one  occasion,  having  spoken  of  the  uncertainty  of 
his  recovery,  he  expressed  a  desire  to  be  submissive  to  the 
Divine  will,  and  remarked,  "  I  have  tried  to  do  my  duty, 
and  although  I  feel  there  are  many  imperfections  and  short- 
comings, I  believe  I  will  be  accepted  as  I  am.  Many  dear 
friends  have  gone  before  me  whom  I  hope  to  meet." 

On  the  30th  of  Fourth  month,  after  some  hours  of  great 
suffering,  when  it  became  evident  that  the  end  was  near, 
he  said,  "I  pray  that  I  may  have  an  easy  passage,  in  His 
own  good  time ;  He  knows  what  is  best.  I  hope  my  pa- 
tience will  hold  out  to  the  end.  Oh,  Lord !  unclasp  these 
bonds  and  let  me  go.  Father,  wilt  Thou  enable  me  to 
bear  what  Thou  requirest  of  me  ?  Oh,  Lord !  wilt  Thou 
preserve  me  to  the  end?" 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  307 

"  May  His  peace  rest  with  you  all.     Amen." 
He  then  quietly  fell  asleep,  and  breathed  his  last. 


(From  a  memorial  issued  by  the  Monthly  Meeting  with 
which  he  had  been  for  forty  years  closely  united  in  the 
bonds  of  love,  we  extract  the  following  testimony,  which 
was  approved  by  the  Yearly  Meeting:) 

"Strong  in  faith,  earnest  in  feeling  and  well  versed  in  the 
art  of  condensing  the  subject  of  his  thoughts,  there  were 
few  more  effective  speakers,  but  the  feature  that  perhaps 
most  strongly  marked  his  religious  life  and  characterized 
his  ministry  was  the  deep  humility  that  blended  itself  with 
his  gentle  dignity,  and  modulated  the  expression  of  "his 
sentiments. 

"  While  fully  believing  in  the  universal  goodness  of  God, 
few  acknowledged  more  unreservedly  the  prophetic  mission 
as  revealed  in  the  Old  Testament,  and  the  Divinity  of 
Jesus  Christ  as  made  known  in  the  New.  - 

"  He  believed  that  God  was  in  Christ  reconciling  the 
world  unto  Himself,  and  that  this  reconciliation  can  only 
be  effected  as  men  come  under  the  influence  of  the  same 
spirit  which  was  in  Jesus  without  measure,  and  which  made 
him  one  with  God,  as  it  will  ever  make  his  true  disciples 
one  with  him.  He  succeeded  in  avoiding  those  right  hand 
and  left  hand  errors  that  lead  so  many  astray,  and  to  cite 
the  advice  given  by  a  valued  elder,  when  young  in  the 
ministry,  he  was  careful  to  "  begin  with  the  life,  keep  with 
the  life,  and  end  with  the  life." 

"  He  was  one  who  believed  in  the  efficacy  of  prayer  and 
praise,  not  as  a  formal  mode  of  worship,  but  as  an  earnest 
invocation  to  the  Supreme  Being  for  help  in  weakness,  or 


308  Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney. 

in  acknowledgment  of  benefits  received  and  mercies  be- 
stowed. There  was  such  a  holy  joy  mingled  with  his  sup- 
plications, that  few  who  heard  them  failed  to  realize  in 
their  own  experience  something  of  that  same  stream  of 
love  that  flowed  from  his  grateful  heart.  May  the  meek- 
ness that  prompts  to  prayer  ever  remain  a  trait  of  our 
beloved  Society. 

"  He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  establishment  of  First- 
day  schools,  believing  that  our  Society  had  in  times  past 
suffered  great  loss  from  a  want  of  closer  familiarity  with 
the  Scriptures,  and  anticipating  from  these  institutions  con- 
tinued benefit. 

"  The  wrongs  visited  on  the  Indians  awakened  his  sympa- 
thies on  their  behalf,  and  when  a  way  was  opened  for  our 
Society  to  labor  for  the  amelioration  of  their  condition, 
though  well  advanced  in  years,  he  accepted  an  appoint- 
ment in  a  far  distant  state,  to  engage  in  the  work,  and 
entered  upon  his  duties  with  great  zeal  and  assiduity.  He 
remained  there  for  two  years  and  a  half,  when  his  health 
becoming  enfeebled  by  the  great  fatigue  and  exposure  he 
had  undergone,  he  resigned  the  position  which  he  had 
filled  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  Government  and  of 
the  Society  of  Friends  he  represented.  After  his  return 
home,  his  interest  in  the  cause  remained  unabated,  and 
we  find  him  making  many  trips  to  Washington  on  their 
behalf. 

"  The  efforts  now  being  made  in  the  country  to  advance 
the  cause  of  temperance  had  his  warm  approval,  nor  was 
he  less  interested  in  the  formation  of  societies  for  the  pro- 
motion of  peace. 

"  Tender  and  affectionate  in  his  domestic  life,  warm  and 
genial  in  his  social  nature,  his  sympathies  were  ever  active 
in  the  discharge  of  duties  involved  in  these  various  rela- 


Memoirs  of  Samuel  M.  Janney.  309 

tions,  and  while  beautifully  fulfilling  the  injunction  to 
"rejoice  with  those  who  do  rejoice,"  he  was  equally 
mindful  of  "  those  who  weep."  Very  grateful  to  the  sick 
and  afflicted  were  his  ministrations  at  the  bedside  and  in 
the  house  of  mourning,  as  many  can  testify. 

"Retaining his  intellectual  faculties  to  the  last,  and  mani- 
festing throughout  the  trying  hours  of  dissolution  (which 
were  fraught  with  great  suffering)  the  meekness  and  sub- 
mission that  had  characterized  him  through  life,  he  quietly 
passed  away  on  the  30th  of  Fourth  month,  1880. 

"  That  his  departure  was  felt  to  be  a  public  loss  in  the 
community  at  large  was  evinced  by  the  outpouring  of  the 
people,  from  far  and  near,  to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  respect 
to  one  whom  they  regarded  as  the  servant  of  God  and  the 
friend  of  his  fellow-man." 


